The Rock Cycle

  • Sediment
    100

    Sediment

    The first roll is sediment. Sediment is a naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion.
  • Compaction and Cementation
    200

    Compaction and Cementation

    On the second roll, 200,000 years later, the sediment is compacted and cemented into sedimentary rock.
  • Sedimentary Rock
    300

    Sedimentary Rock

    On the 3rd roll, 400,000 years from when the rock was first formed, it has now reached sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock are types of rocks that are formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface in bodies of water.
  • Sedimentary Rock
    400

    Sedimentary Rock

    600,000 years after the rock's begininning, it continues to be sedimentary rock after the 4th roll. The rock is buried under layers of sand and mud, which help it stay in a solid form.
  • High Temperature and Pressure
    500

    High Temperature and Pressure

    On the 5th roll, the sedimentary rock is put under immense pressure and high temperatures for 200,000 years.
  • Metamorphic Rock
    Jan 1, 600

    Metamorphic Rock

    On the 6th roll, 200,000 years later, after being exposed to extreme heat and pressure, the rock became a metamorphic rock. A metamorphic rock is defined as a "rock that was once one form of rock but has changed to another under the influence of heat, pressure, or some other agent without passing through a liquid phase."
  • Metamorphic Rock
    Jan 1, 700

    Metamorphic Rock

    In another 200,000 years, on the 7th roll, the rock stays as a metamorphic rock.
  • Weathering and Erosion
    Jan 1, 800

    Weathering and Erosion

    The metamorphic rock is exposed to the elements and weathers and erodes after another 200,000 years on the 8th roll.
  • Sediments
    Jan 1, 900

    Sediments

    After weathering and eroding, the rock is sediments once again after 200,000 years on the 9th roll. Sediments can be formed from the forces of wind, water, ice, or gravity.
  • Compatction and Cementation
    Jan 1, 1000

    Compatction and Cementation

    On the 10th roll, 200,000 the sediments compact and cement. Compation is the process in which sediments are buried under pressure, and cementation is the process in which new minerals stick the grains together.
  • Sedimentary Rock
    Jan 1, 1100

    Sedimentary Rock

    On the 11th roll, 200,000 years later, the sediments are transformed into sedimentary rock once again.
  • Melting
    Jan 1, 1200

    Melting

    The sedimentary rock begins melting 200,000 years later, on the 11th roll. Melting is when a rock far beneath earths surface is subjected to immense heat and becomes magma.
  • Cooling and Hardening
    Jan 1, 1300

    Cooling and Hardening

    Our magma cools and hardens after our 13th roll, or another 200,000 years. Cooling and hardening is when the rock under earth cools down enough to solidify.
  • Igneous Rock
    Jan 1, 1400

    Igneous Rock

    On our last roll, or our 14th roll, our rock becomes igneous rock. Igneous rock is formed through cooling and solidification of magma or lava.