Types of RocksTypes of RocksThere are three main types of rocks. Click on the rocks below to learn more.

Igneous

SedimentaryMetamorphic

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Igneous RocksIgneous Rocks

Some places on Earth are so hot that rock Some places on Earth are so hot that rock melts into melts into magmamagma. Igneous rocks form . Igneous rocks form

when magma cools and hardens.when magma cools and hardens.

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Sedimentary RocksSedimentary RocksAs rocks age they erode and lose tiny bits As rocks age they erode and lose tiny bits called sediment. This sediment collects, gets called sediment. This sediment collects, gets packed together and hardens. Sedimentary packed together and hardens. Sedimentary

rocks are hardened sediment from other rocks are hardened sediment from other rocks.rocks.

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Metamorphic RocksMetamorphic RocksSometimes rocks experience great pressure. Sometimes rocks experience great pressure. When this happens they can change without When this happens they can change without melting. Metamorphic rocks are formed when melting. Metamorphic rocks are formed when any type of rock changes without melting. any type of rock changes without melting.

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The Rock CycleThe Rock Cycle

Rocks are constantly changing between the Rocks are constantly changing between the three types. This is called the rock cycle.three types. This is called the rock cycle.

Igneous

Magma

SedimentaryMetamorphic

Erosion

Melting

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Melting

Cooling

Pressure

Pressure

MagmaMagmaWhen rocks get very hot they melt. Magma When rocks get very hot they melt. Magma

is this liquid rock. It is called lava when it is this liquid rock. It is called lava when it reaches Earth’s surface.reaches Earth’s surface.

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Sources and LinksSources and Links

For more information visit:For more information visit:http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/rkcycle/metamorphic.htmlhttp://www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/rkcycle/metamorphic.htmlhttp://http://www.rocksforkids.com/RFK/howrocks.htmlwww.rocksforkids.com/RFK/howrocks.htmlhttp://http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.htmlwww.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html

CreditsCreditsAll photographs from Wikimedia Commons All photographs from Wikimedia Commons http://http://

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagecommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

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