Rock Cycle Explorations

Name:

Date:

Rock cycle diagram showing the three rock types and transformation processes

🗿 Part 1: Rock Types and Formation

1. What are the three main types of rocks in the rock cycle?

Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic

Hard, soft, medium

Old, new, ancient

Large, small, tiny

2. Which processes are involved in rock formation? (Select all that apply)

Melting and cooling

Heat and pressure

Erosion and sedimentation

Crystallisation

3. Igneous rocks form when:

Layers of sediment are compressed over time

Magma or lava cools and solidifies

Existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure

Rocks are broken down by weathering

4. How long do rock cycle processes typically take?

Days to weeks

Months to years

Thousands to millions of years

Billions of years

✏️ Part 2: Rock Cycle Understanding

5. Fill in the blanks using the word bank below:

Word Bank: sedimentary, metamorphic, pressure, weathering, magma

When existing rocks are subjected to intense heat and _____________, they can transform into _____________ rocks. Meanwhile, _____________ rocks form when layers of sediment are compacted over time. The rock cycle begins again when rocks are broken down by _____________ and erosion, or when they melt to form _____________.

6. Explain why the rock cycle is important for understanding Earth's processes:

7. Describe one way that rock properties (such as hardness or grain size) reflect how the rock was formed: