Rock Cycle Vocabulary Words Flashcards
Rock
A solid made up of many different minerals.
Sedimentary rock
Rocks that have been formed through the deposition of and solidification of sediment.
Igneous rock
Formed by a volcano or the solidification of molten rock.
Metamorphic rock
Formed by extreme heat and pressure that changes the structure of the rock.
Rock cycle
The process in which rocks are continuously transformed between the 3 rock types.
Sediment
Mineral or organic matter carried and deposited by water or wind that may consolidate into rock.
Weathering
Breaks down into sediment wind ice water and extreme temperatures.
Erosion
The movement of small pieces of rock or sediment due to wind water gravity and other natural forces.
Deposition
When sediments are dropped off in a different location.
Cementation
The hardening and sticking of mineral grains.
Molten
Liquified by heat.
Magma
A hot molten rock below the Earth’s surface.
Lava
Molten rock that is on or above the surface.