5. Practice: List the steps that would cause each transformation below.

A. Intrusive igneous rock 🡪 sedimentary rock: _____________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ B. Metamorphic rock 🡪 sediment: _________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ C. Sediment 🡪 sedimentary rock: __________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ D. Sedimentary rock 🡪 sediment: __________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

1 answer

Here are the steps that describe the transformations for each scenario you provided:

A. Intrusive igneous rock 🡪 sediment:

  1. Weathering: The intrusive igneous rock is broken down into smaller particles through physical and chemical weathering processes.
  2. Erosion: These particles are then transported away by wind, water, ice, or gravity.
  3. Deposition: The eroded materials settle in new locations, accumulating in layers.

B. Metamorphic rock 🡪 sediment:

  1. Weathering: The metamorphic rock is subjected to physical and chemical weathering, which breaks it down into smaller pieces.
  2. Erosion: The weathered material is subsequently transported by natural agents such as water, wind, or ice.
  3. Deposition: The sediment is deposited in new areas, contributing to sedimentary processes.

C. Sediment 🡪 sedimentary rock:

  1. Compaction: Loose sediment is buried under additional layers of sediment, resulting in increased pressure that compacts the particles together.
  2. Cementation: Mineral-rich water percolates through the sediments, precipitating minerals that act as a glue, binding the sediment grains together to form solid rock.

D. Sedimentary rock 🡪 sediment:

  1. Weathering: The sedimentary rock undergoes weathering processes that break it down into smaller fragments and particles.
  2. Erosion: These particles are then transported away by various erosion processes, including water, wind, or ice.
  3. Deposition: The eroded sediment is eventually deposited in various environments, accumulating layers over time.

Each transformation highlights critical geological processes that contribute to the rock cycle.