The Rock Cycle Vocabulary
Igneous Rock
 formed through the cooling and
solidification of magma or lava
Sedimentary Rock
 types of rock that are formed by the
deposition of material at the Earth's surface
and within bodies of water.
Metamorphic Rocks
 a result of a transformation of a pre-existing rock. The
original rock is subjected to very high heat and pressure,
which cause obvious physical and/or chemical changes.
Compaction
 The weight from the layers of sediment forces out
liquids and decreases the space between grains.
Cementation
 When minerals dissolved in water
crystallize between sediment grains.
Lithification
 the process in which
sediments compact under
pressure, expel fluids,
and gradually become
solid rock. Includes
cementation and
compaction.
Extrusive
 When volcanic material erupts and cools
and crystallizes on Earth’s surface.
Intrusive
 Igneous rocks that form as magma cools
underground.
Foliated
 Contain parallel layers of flat and elongated
minerals.