NAME: Shannen Narace FORM: 5:4

Monday 11th May, 2021.

Geography
THE ROCK CYCLE

Rocks are compounds that are made up of minerals that can be permeable or impermeable.
Their formation can take place through three processes called Sedimentation and Erosion,
Crystallization and Metamorphism. These processes create different types of rocks called
Sedimentary rocks, Igneous rocks, and Metamorphic rocks. Sedimentation and Erosion
involves the process in which the erosion of the rocks by weathering causes the sediments of
the erosion process to be deposited. When they are deposited, they lithify with other small
rocks and minerals to form Sedimentary rocks. Sedimentation and Erosion can be seen in
Rivers, Coasts, and the erosion of Volcanoes. Crystallization is the process in which the
magma either underground or on the surface cools and forms crystallized Igneous rocks.
These rocks can be varied depending on the temperature that they are exposed to.
Crystallization can be found internally or externally of a volcano after eruption.
Metamorphism is the process in which the rock is deeply pushed into the earth’s crust, where
it is exposed to extreme levels of pressure and heat. This results into the deformation of the
original rock where it forms the Metamorphic rocks that has different textures and minerals.
Metamorphism can be seen in the earth’s crust. Igneous rocks and Metamorphic rocks are
both crystalline rocks but are differed by the process of their formation.
Weathering is responsible for the formation soil. The process of weathering consists of three
parts, Physical weathering, Chemical weathering, and Biological weathering. Physical
weathering involves the breaking up of rocks into smaller particles. Two processes that are
involved with Physical weathering are Frost Action and Pressure Release. Chemical
weathering is the process in which the minerals are altered in the rock’s chemical compound.
Five processes are involved are Carbonation, Solution, Oxidation, Hydrolysis, and
Hydration. Biological weathering involves the activities of animals and humans, plant and
tree growth and the decay of bodies which can affect the rocks formed. Climate also
contributes to the Biological weathering as it can alter the rate of weathering taking place to
form soil. Without the process of weathering, the plants which are reliant on the soil for
nutrition to produce food, would not be possible. This can cause the extinction of both
animals and plants due to the elimination of the first stage of the food chain.