What is the Rock Cycle?

Whether you find them beautiful or boring, rocks are an important part of the planet we live on. Rocks are not only responsible for forming the ground we stand on, but they are also an important part of many of the things we use on a day-to-day basis. This includes buildings, cars, roads, and technology. In addition to providing for human needs, rocks and minerals are also an important part of the cycle of all life on Earth, providing nutrients for soil that allows plants to grow.

A recent volcanic eruption in Iceland. Credit: Tetiana Grypachevska on Unsplash.

All rocks and minerals are formed through a process called the rock cycle. This cycle is responsible for creating all types of rocks, which are divided into three main categories based on how they were formed. These types are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, and are each formed at a different stage of the rock cycle.

Igneous Rock

Before it even becomes solid, all rock begins as molten magma in the upper mantle and lower crust of the Earth. Because magma is less dense than the surrounding crust, it tends to rise over time. As the magma rises, it may begin to cool under the surface. The type of rock formed from this cooling is known as intrusive igneous rock.