Rock Cycle Processes - Questions and Answers

1. How does a metamorphic rock become an igneous rock?

2. What can a intrusive igneous rock be used for?

3. How do igneous rocks convert to sedimentary rocks?

4. What do you think will happen to our planet if rock cycle end?

5. How the rock cycle is involved in earthquakes?

Answers:

1 - To become an igneous rock, any rock, including a metamorphic or sedimentary rock, must be exposed to so much heat that it melts completely to become magma.

2 - Intrusive igneous rocks cool underground. Deep in the crust, the magma cools slowly. Slow cooling gives crystals a chance to grow. Intrusive igneous rocks have relatively large crystals that are easy to see. Intrusive igneous rocks are also called plutonic. A pluton is an igneous rock body that forms within the crust. Granite is the most common intrusive igneous rock that consists of minerals such as quart, feldspar, and mica. Intrusive igneous rocks are used in building, statues, decorations, jewelry, etc.

3 - Igneous rocks can become sedimentary rocks by weathering, erosion, deposition, and compaction. Igneous rock at Earth's surface breaks down into sediments by weathering. Erosion carries the sediments and deposits them in layers. Over time, these layers become buried and compacted to form sedimentary rock.

4 - Almost all earthquakes occur at plate boundaries. All types of plate boundaries have earthquakes. Convection within the Earth causes the plates to move. As the plates move, stresses build. When the stresses build too much, the rocks break. The break releases the energy that is stored in the rocks. The sudden release of energy is an earthquake. During an earthquake, the rocks usually move several centimeters. Rarely, they may move as much as a few meters. Elastic rebound theory describes how earthquakes occur.

5 - Almost all earthquakes occur at plate boundaries. All types of plate boundaries have earthquakes. Convection within the Earth causes the plates to move. As the plates move, stresses build. When the stresses build too much, the rocks break. The break releases the energy that is stored in the rocks. The sudden release of energy is an earthquake. During an earthquake, the rocks usually move several centimeters. Rarely, they may move as much as a few meters. Elastic rebound theory describes how earthquakes occur.