Rock Cycle: Transition to Igneous Rock
When rocks are pushed below the Earth’s surface, they are subjected to high pressure and temperatures, which leads to the formation of Magma. There are some specific requirements or conditions for magma to exist once the conditions are not present; this magma is converted to Igneous rock.
This can be seen in Granite, it is formed due to the extremely slow cooling of magma inside the earth’s surface; the grained texture is also a result of this. When there is any volcanic activity, the magma is directly exposed to the earth’s atmosphere and cools rapidly; due to the rapid cooling, there are no crystals formed, and they cause the rocks formed to be fine-grained. Natural glass, like obsidian, is an example of rocks formed like this. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks can all melt and form magma and then cool to form igneous rocks.
Rock Cycle
Rock cycle refers to the web of processes that outlines how the three main types of rocks- igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, form and break down based on various applications of processes of heat and pressure over due course of time. For example, sedimentary rock becomes slate when both heat and pressure are added to it. The more heat and pressure added, the process of rock metamorphoses is furthered until it changes to gneiss and the rock melts down completely and reforms as igneous rock.
Table of Content
- What is the Rock Cycle?
- Rock Cycle Diagram
- Rock Cycle Steps
- Factors Affecting Rock Cycle
- Rock Cycle- Transition and Formation
- Rock Cycle: Transition to Igneous Rock
- Rock Cycle: Transition to Metamorphic Rock
- Rock Cycle: Transition to Sedimentary Rock