Name_______________
Rock Cycle Study Guide
1. For each of the following rocks:
A. Explain how they form
B. Describe each rock type
C. 2 examples of each rock
Igneous
a) molten rock (either magma or lava) cools off to become igneous
b) Intrusive- made from magma, which cools down inside the earth. Slow cooling
allows for larger crystals. Extrusive- made from lava, which cools down on the
surface of the earth. Faster cooling forms smaller crystals.
c) Granite- Intrusive Rock
Pumice- extrusive rock
Sedimentary
a) First a rock must be weathered and eroded, which creates smaller pieces called
sediments. These sediments can pile on top of each other and can be compacted
or cemented to harden as sedimentary rocks.
b) Organic- sedimentary rock formed from dead animals and plants, also known as
fossils. Clastic- These form from the compaction of sediments. Chemical- these
form when sediments are “glued” together.
c) Fossils- Organic
Sandstone- Clastic
Limestone- Chemical
Metamorphic
a) These are formed when rocks are exposed to intense heat (not enough to melt)
and extreme pressure
b) Foliated- when crystals are compressed they can flatten and line up with other
crystals. Non-foliated- when crystals are randomly placed throughout the rock.
c) Marble- non-foliated
Schist- foliated rock
2. For each type of rock explain how you would identify it using at least three (3)
properties, characteristics, or vocabulary words.
Igneous(think intrusive/extrusive!)Did it form from lava or magma?
Does it have large or small crystals?
Is it coarse grained or fine grained?
Sedimentary (think clastic, organic, and chemical)Are the rocks fossils?
Are the sediments compressed together?
Are the sediments glued together? Is there strata?
Metamorphic (think foliated/nonfoliated)Does the rock have stripes? Are the rock crystals aligned? Are the crystals random?
3. Define the following vocabulary terms in your own words.
Rock- made from crystals
Sediment- small pieces of rocks
Lava- molten rock that is on the Earth’s surface
Magma- molten rock that is below the Earth’s surface
Property- Characteristics
Composition- What is it make-up/ what is inside/ ingredients
Law of Superposition- Law that states in layers of rock, the oldest will be at the bottom
and the youngest will be on the top.
USE THE DIAGRAM BELOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:
What is the oldest layer? Layer A
What is the youngest layer? Layer E
When did the fault occur? After the development of C, before D
What is the most recent event/layer to take place? The inclusion was the last event
Explain how each type of rock can become another
Igneous to Metamorphic- possible of intrusive rock is exposed to heat and
pressure.
Igneous to Sedimentary- The igneous rock is weathered and eroded and
the sediments get compacted together.
Metamorphic to Igneous- the metamorphic rock melts and the cools
Metamorphic to Sedimentary- The metamorphic rock is weathered and
eroded and the sediments get compacted together
Sedimentary to Igneous- the sedimentary rock melts and the cools
Sedimentary to Metamorphic- sedimentary rock is exposed to heat and
pressure.
Diagram the rock cycle. Be sure to include the processes of melting, erosion, and
heat/pressure.