Explain the rock cycle and how rocks transition from one type to another.

Explain the rock cycle and how rocks transition from one type to another.

• A. Igneous rocks weather to sediments; sediments lithify into sedimentary rocks; burial and metamorphism produce metamorphic rocks; melting returns rocks to magma, continuing the cycle.
• B. Sedimentary rocks are formed only at the surface.
• C. Metamorphic rocks are always formed by weathering only.
• D. Igneous rocks never melt to form magma.

Answer: (A)

Rocks continually change form through processes powered by Earth's interior and surface conditions, so the rock cycle shows how one rock type can become another. Igneous rocks come from cooling magma or lava; when these rocks are exposed at the surface, they break down by weathering and are carried away as sediments. Those sediments are deposited, buried, and lithified (compact and cement) to form sedimentary rocks. Deep burial with heat and pressure can cause minerals to recrystallize into new textures and minerals, producing metamorphic rocks. If rocks melt, they turn into magma, which then cools and crystallizes to form igneous rocks again, continuing the cycle. This interconnected set of transformations explains how the three major rock types interrelate and recycle over geological time.

Rocks continually change form through processes powered by Earth's interior and surface conditions, so the rock cycle shows how one rock type can become another. Igneous rocks come from cooling magma or lava; when these rocks are exposed at the surface, they break down by weathering and are carried away as sediments. Those sediments are deposited, buried, and lithified (compact and cement) to form sedimentary rocks. Deep burial with heat and pressure can cause minerals to recrystallize into new textures and minerals, producing metamorphic rocks. If rocks melt, they turn into magma, which then cools and crystallizes to form igneous rocks again, continuing the cycle. This interconnected set of transformations explains how the three major rock types interrelate and recycle over geological time.