Rock Cycle Web Quest
Source: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Name ________________
Date _______________
Humans depend on Earth’s interior for many different resources. Mineral and energy resources
are limited, and many are not renewable, or replaceable over human lifetimes. These resources
are distributed unevenly around the planet as a result of past geologic processes. The web quest
below will help you understand how Earth’s materials are recycled continuously.
1. Introduction
ROCKS come in cool colors, shapes, textures, and sizes and are found all around
you, but how much do you REALLY know about them?
In this web quest you will discover rock secrets through various activities.
Begin by reading the text and then copying/sketching/coloring the simplified rock cycle
diagram displayed in the space below.
Remember, use the 5 “C’s” for science sketches:
clear, complete, correct, color, caption
Finished with your great sketch? Click on ‘Types of Rocks’ and get ready to
take some notes.
Chapter 1- Types of Rocks
Photo credits: Rock photos Copyright © Jerome Wyckoff and Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch, courtesy Earth Science
World Image Bank & Photographer: Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Caption: Gneissic foliation.
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Rock Cycle Web Quest
Source: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Name ________________
Date _______________
Rocks are not all the same!
Read about the three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic,
and igneous and the differences among them have to do with how they are formed.
Read each description & record notes. Be sure to include examples of each type.
Sedimentary

Formed from:

Special characteristics:

Examples:
Metamorphic

Formed from:

Special characteristics:

Examples:
Igneous

Formed from:

Special characteristics:

Examples:
Directions: In the chart below, write down descriptive features associated with each
characteristic that can help identify the rocks within the three main classes of rocks. ‘
Crystals
Fossils
Gas bubbles
Glassy
surface
Ribbonlike
layers
Sand or
pebbles
When you are finished taking notes and filling in the chart above, continue web
quest and click on ‘Start your Rock Collection’
Photo credits: Rock photos Copyright © Jerome Wyckoff and Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch, courtesy Earth Science
World Image Bank & Photographer: Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Caption: Gneissic foliation.
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Rock Cycle Web Quest
Source: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Name ________________
Date _______________
Types of Rocks – Start your rock collection!
Rocks are not all the same!
The three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic, and
igneous and the differences among them have to do with how they are formed.
Click on each rock on the web page, read the descriptions and write some notes about
each rock in the collection in the table below.
Rock
Description
Conglomerate
Limestone
Basalt
Rock
Gneiss
Obsidian
Marble
Description
Identify Rock Types
Test your skills at identifying characteristics of rocks and classifying them as igneous,
sedimentary, or metamorphic. Click on the assessment and take the quiz.
How did you do? Write your score here: ______________
Reflection: Which rock in your web collection is your favorite and why?
Photo credits: Rock photos Copyright © Jerome Wyckoff and Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch, courtesy Earth Science
World Image Bank & Photographer: Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Caption: Gneissic foliation.
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Rock Cycle Web Quest
Source: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Name ________________
Date _______________
Chapter 2- How Rocks Change
Introduction
Does it seem to you that rocks never change? For example, if you find a chunk of
granite today, can you expect that it will still be granite at the end of your lifetime? That
may well be true — but only because our lifetimes are very short relative to the history
of the earth.
Read the web page & take Cornell notes for the key ideas listed below:
Geologic time
-
Rock cycle
-
Heat & Pressure -
Watch the animations and answer the questions below.
What happens to an igneous rock when heat & pressure are applied?
__________________________________________________________________
How Rocks Change: Melting and Cooling.
Watch the animation and answer the questions below:
What happens when metamorphic rocks melt?
__________________________________________________________________
What happens to magma when it cools above the earth’s surface?
__________________________________________________________________
What happens to magma when it cools below earth’s surface?
__________________________________________________________________
Photo credits: Rock photos Copyright © Jerome Wyckoff and Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch, courtesy Earth Science
World Image Bank & Photographer: Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Caption: Gneissic foliation.
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Rock Cycle Web Quest
Source: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Name ________________
Date _______________
How Rocks Change
Continued:
Weathering & Erosion & Compaction & Cementation
Direction: Read the web page & take Cornell notes for the key ideas listed below:
Weathering factorsSediment
-
Erosion
-
Compacting
-
Cementing
-
Direction: Watch the animation on the page and answer the questions below:
Describe what occurs during weathering and erosion of rocks?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
What type of rock is formed when sediment is compacted? ___________________
How is sediment compacted and cemented?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
APPLY: Transform the Rock – Test your knowledge.
Review your notes on ‘How Rocks Change’. Next identify the process that can change
rocks from one type to another by answering the assessment puzzles.
How did you do? Write your score here: ______________
If you scored 14 or better you are ready to move on to the next chapter 
Photo credits: Rock photos Copyright © Jerome Wyckoff and Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch, courtesy Earth Science
World Image Bank & Photographer: Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Caption: Gneissic foliation.
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Rock Cycle Web Quest
Source: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Name ________________
Date _______________
Chapter 3: The Rock Cycle Diagram
A useful way to illustrate how the three main types of rock are related to one another
and how changes to rocks happen in a recurring sequence is the rock cycle. It can be
presented in a diagram like the one on the web page.
Directions: Read the passage on the web page and answer the question.
What is the main idea behind the rock cycle? Summarize below.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Directions: Study the rock cycle diagram and sketch below into your science
notebook. Be sure to show ALL the forces that factor into transforming each type of
rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic into new & different rocks.
Reflection: How is the rock cycle above compare with your initial sketch?
APPLY: The Rock Cycle – Test your knowledge.
Review your notes and sketch on ‘How Rocks Change’. Next Test your knowledge!
Complete the rock cycle self- assessment.
How did you do? Write your score here: ______________
If you scored 8 or better you are ready to move onto the final chapter! Good job! 
Now…TEST YOUR SKILLS – Review your notes or revisit chapters to re-read text,
then take the assessment. Once you take your final assessment, print it out and attach
to this worksheet.
Web quest Reflection:
How would you rate this assignment? [Indicate your response plus add a comment if you have any to
share.]
Easy- I knew it all before.
Just Right- I like learning at my own pace & I learned something.
Difficult, but challenging; I learned something new.
Too hard, I did not understand what to do.
Photo credits: Rock photos Copyright © Jerome Wyckoff and Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch, courtesy Earth Science
World Image Bank & Photographer: Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Caption: Gneissic foliation.
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