The Rock Cycle
Go to http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/science/minerals/index.htm .
Enter the list of websites under the heading of Rocks, minerals and mining resources.
Click on the Word document for Rocks, minerals and mining.
Then click on the website Interactive Rock Cycle Animation.
1. Crystallization of magma to form igneous rock
Where does the lava come from?
Lava comes from a volcano.
How are small crystals formed?
Small crystals are formed by quick cooling.
2. Erosion of solid rock to form sediment
Complete the following table by listing the seven landforms shown on the map of USA and
describe how they are formed.
Landform
Glaciated valley
Description
A valley glacier scrapes out a U shaped valley in Alaska.
River valley
A deep, V-shaped river valley is cut into volcanic rocks in
Yellowstone National Park.
Sand carried by the wind can blast through walls of rock
to form arches like these in Arches National Park, Utah.
Sand is a product of erosion. Huge dunes have
accumulated in Great Sand Dunes National Monument,
Colorado.
Weathering and erosion of soluble rock materials
produced Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.
Resistant monument in Utah remains standing after the
sandstone around them has eroded away.
Sand and pebbles carried by waves erode rock materials
from the base of sea cliffs on the coast of California.
Arches
Sand dunes
Underground cavern
Desert monument
Sea cliff
3. Transportation of sediment
Describe how the big rocks move.
Big rocks sink.
Describe how the small rocks move.
Small rocks float.
Which type of rocks do you think will move the furthest?
Clay
4. Deposition of sediments
What happens to the flow of the stream as it enters deep water?
The flow of the stream as it enters deep water decreases velocity of stream flow.
Clay-sized sediment, gravel-sized sediment and sand grains and will settle in the water. List the
order they will settle starting from the shore or mouth of the river.
Sand grains, gravel-sized, clay sized
Does this agree with your predictions in Question 3?
5. Compaction and cementation of sediments
What cements or sticks the sand grains together?
Mineral deposited
What is the name of the rock produced from sand grains?
Sandstone
6. Metamorphism
Name the starting igneous rock.
Diorite
What causes igneous rocks to form metamorphic rocks?
Heat and pressure
Name the minerals that are in the initial igneous rock.
Quartz, plagioclase feldspar, amphibole
Name the rock that is produced after metamorphism.
Metamorphic rock
7. Melting of metamorphic rock
What is formed from melting rock?
Magma
By Katharine Tu 7I
25/07/12