The Cycle:
1) Magma/lava
comes out of the earth and cools, creating igneous rocks.
2) The igneous
rocks get eroded, and break down into tiny particles called sediment. ( Igneous rocks can also form inside
the earth. These are intrusive igneous rocks. Ignesous rocks on the surface are extrusive )
3) The sediments
settle at the bottom of streams, oceans, rivers, lakes, etc, and become compacted when more and more sediment is piled on
top of the old sediment.
4) Next, the
sedimentary rock can be over time be turned into metamorphic rock ( which is formed under the earth ). It can also be turned
into magma, and the process will start all over again. Or, it will be eroded away, and turn into sediment again.
5) The metamorphic
rock will either be melted into magma again, and start the cycle over, or it will be uplifted and exposed.
