How Rocks Form - Middle School Earth and Space Science
Card 1 of 25
What is regional metamorphism?
What is regional metamorphism?
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Metamorphism over large areas from high pressure and heat. Tectonic forces create widespread foliated rocks.
Metamorphism over large areas from high pressure and heat. Tectonic forces create widespread foliated rocks.
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What process turns any rock into magma within the rock cycle?
What process turns any rock into magma within the rock cycle?
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Melting. High temperatures break chemical bonds in minerals.
Melting. High temperatures break chemical bonds in minerals.
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What process moves weathered sediment from one place to another?
What process moves weathered sediment from one place to another?
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Erosion. Transport by water, wind, ice, or gravity.
Erosion. Transport by water, wind, ice, or gravity.
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What process moves weathered sediments from one place to another?
What process moves weathered sediments from one place to another?
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Erosion. Transport by water, wind, ice, or gravity moves sediments.
Erosion. Transport by water, wind, ice, or gravity moves sediments.
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What process forms metamorphic rock from preexisting rock?
What process forms metamorphic rock from preexisting rock?
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Metamorphism by heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Changes rock's minerals and texture without melting.
Metamorphism by heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Changes rock's minerals and texture without melting.
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Identify the rock-cycle process: rock is buried, heated, and squeezed but does not melt.
Identify the rock-cycle process: rock is buried, heated, and squeezed but does not melt.
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Metamorphism. Heat and pressure alter rock structure without melting.
Metamorphism. Heat and pressure alter rock structure without melting.
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What is cementation in sedimentary rock formation?
What is cementation in sedimentary rock formation?
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Minerals crystallize and glue sediments together. Dissolved minerals precipitate in pore spaces.
Minerals crystallize and glue sediments together. Dissolved minerals precipitate in pore spaces.
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Identify the process: dissolved minerals fill spaces and bind sediments together.
Identify the process: dissolved minerals fill spaces and bind sediments together.
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Cementation. Mineral precipitation creates rock from loose grains.
Cementation. Mineral precipitation creates rock from loose grains.
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What is compaction in sedimentary rock formation?
What is compaction in sedimentary rock formation?
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Pressure squeezes sediments together, reducing pore space. Weight of overlying sediments forces out water and air.
Pressure squeezes sediments together, reducing pore space. Weight of overlying sediments forces out water and air.
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Which igneous setting cools quickly and usually makes small crystals or glass?
Which igneous setting cools quickly and usually makes small crystals or glass?
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Extrusive (volcanic) cooling at Earth’s surface. Rapid cooling prevents large crystal formation.
Extrusive (volcanic) cooling at Earth’s surface. Rapid cooling prevents large crystal formation.
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Which igneous setting cools slowly and usually makes large crystals?
Which igneous setting cools slowly and usually makes large crystals?
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Intrusive (plutonic) cooling underground. Slow cooling allows time for large crystal growth.
Intrusive (plutonic) cooling underground. Slow cooling allows time for large crystal growth.
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What is lithification?
What is lithification?
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Compaction and cementation that turns sediment into sedimentary rock. Pressure squeezes grains; minerals cement them together.
Compaction and cementation that turns sediment into sedimentary rock. Pressure squeezes grains; minerals cement them together.
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What process turns any preexisting rock into metamorphic rock?
What process turns any preexisting rock into metamorphic rock?
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Metamorphism due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Changes rock texture and minerals without melting.
Metamorphism due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Changes rock texture and minerals without melting.
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Which type of metamorphism mainly occurs near magma intrusions?
Which type of metamorphism mainly occurs near magma intrusions?
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Contact metamorphism. Heat from magma alters surrounding rock locally.
Contact metamorphism. Heat from magma alters surrounding rock locally.
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Which type of metamorphism mainly occurs over large regions during mountain building?
Which type of metamorphism mainly occurs over large regions during mountain building?
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Regional metamorphism. Tectonic forces create widespread heat and pressure.
Regional metamorphism. Tectonic forces create widespread heat and pressure.
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What process melts rock to produce magma, restarting the rock cycle?
What process melts rock to produce magma, restarting the rock cycle?
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Melting. Creates magma that can cool into new igneous rock.
Melting. Creates magma that can cool into new igneous rock.
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Identify the rock type formed by compaction and cementation of sediment.
Identify the rock type formed by compaction and cementation of sediment.
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Sedimentary rock. Lithification transforms loose sediment into solid rock.
Sedimentary rock. Lithification transforms loose sediment into solid rock.
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What is cementation in sedimentary rock formation?
What is cementation in sedimentary rock formation?
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Minerals precipitate and glue sediments together. Dissolved minerals act as natural cement between grains.
Minerals precipitate and glue sediments together. Dissolved minerals act as natural cement between grains.
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What is uplift, and why does it matter in the rock cycle?
What is uplift, and why does it matter in the rock cycle?
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Raising rock to the surface, exposing it to weathering and erosion. Tectonic forces bring deep rocks to Earth's surface.
Raising rock to the surface, exposing it to weathering and erosion. Tectonic forces bring deep rocks to Earth's surface.
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Which process changes rock by dissolving minerals and forming new substances?
Which process changes rock by dissolving minerals and forming new substances?
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Chemical weathering. Water and acids react with minerals to create new compounds.
Chemical weathering. Water and acids react with minerals to create new compounds.
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Which process changes rock mainly by breaking it into pieces?
Which process changes rock mainly by breaking it into pieces?
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Mechanical (physical) weathering. Forces like ice wedging physically fracture rock.
Mechanical (physical) weathering. Forces like ice wedging physically fracture rock.
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Identify the rock type formed when layers of sand are compacted and cemented.
Identify the rock type formed when layers of sand are compacted and cemented.
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Sedimentary rock. Sand grains undergo lithification to become sandstone.
Sedimentary rock. Sand grains undergo lithification to become sandstone.
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What is the rock cycle?
What is the rock cycle?
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A set of processes that form and transform rocks over time. Continuous transformation between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
A set of processes that form and transform rocks over time. Continuous transformation between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
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Which conditions typically cause metamorphism: heat, pressure, fluids, or all three?
Which conditions typically cause metamorphism: heat, pressure, fluids, or all three?
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All three: heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Each factor contributes to mineral reorganization.
All three: heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Each factor contributes to mineral reorganization.
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What is foliation in metamorphic rocks?
What is foliation in metamorphic rocks?
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Layered or banded texture from mineral alignment under pressure. Directional pressure creates parallel mineral bands.
Layered or banded texture from mineral alignment under pressure. Directional pressure creates parallel mineral bands.
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