Skip to content
Know.itKnow.it
Create an animated lesson
On request

This article is free to read. Creating a lesson uses your daily or stored credits; review the language and settings before starting.

What is the rock cycle?

ScienceLesson on requestFree to read

Quick answer

The rock cycle is the continuous process by which rocks change between three types — igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic — over vast stretches of time. Heat, pressure, weathering, and melting slowly transform one kind of rock into another. Rocks shift between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic forms.

Key things to understand

  1. Rocks shift between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic forms.
  2. Melting and cooling make igneous rock.
  3. Weathering and compaction make sedimentary rock.
  4. Heat and pressure make metamorphic rock.

People also ask

What is the rock cycle?
The ongoing process by which rocks transform between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types over time.
What are the three types of rock?
Igneous (from cooled magma), sedimentary (from compacted particles), and metamorphic (changed by heat and pressure).
How long does the rock cycle take?
Typically millions of years, as geological forces slowly reshape rock.