Rock and the Rock Cycle

Rocks are always on the move through the rock cycle!

Click on parts of this rock cycle diagram to find out more about sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks and how they change over geologic time.

Almost all of the rock that we have on Earth today is made of the same stuff as the rocks that dinosaurs and other ancient life forms walked, crawled or swam over. While the stuff that rocks are made from has stayed the same, the rocks themselves, have not. Over time rocks are recycled into other rocks. Moving tectonic plates are responsible for destroying and forming many different types of rocks.

Rocks are always on the move through the rock cycle!

Click on parts of this rock cycle diagram to find out more about

• sedimentary rocks
• igneous rocks
• metamorphic rocks

and how they change over geologic time!

All rock (except for meteorites!) that is on Earth today is made of the same stuff as the rocks that dinosaurs and other ancient life forms walked, crawled or swam over. While the stuff that rocks are made from stays the same, the rocks do not. Over millions of years, rocks are recycled into other rocks. Moving tectonic plates help to destroy and form many types of rocks.

Click on the words in the picture to find out more about the three types of rocks:

• sedimentary rocks
• igneous rocks
• metamorphic rocks

Rocks can change into other rocks! The stuff that rocks are made from stays the same, but the rocks do not. Over time rocks are recycled into new rocks. Moving parts of Earth's surface layer help rocks recycle!