The Rock Cycle

THE ROCK CYCLE

Figure 6.

The rock cycle is an important piece of information for all geologists. Rocks don't change very easily but over millions and billions of years, rocks actually do change their properties – both physical and chemical. The cycle involves the three main rock types. There is really no beginning or end here – just a cycle. Magma crystallizes or solidifies to make igneous rocks. These can change directly to become metamorphic rocks. They can also erode directly to make sediment that creates sedimentary rocks. Tectonic plates