The Rock Cycle
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The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock.The rock cycle is a continuous process that occurs over millions of years.It makes new rock,destroys old rock and recycles the ingredients of the Earth's crust over and over again.
Links:http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m8tevimgco&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m8tevimgco&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
Plate Tectonics
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According to the new, generally accepted "plate-tectonics" theory, scientists believe that the Earth's surface is broken into a number of shifting slabs or plates, which average about 50 miles in thickness. These plates move relative to one another above a hotter, deeper, more mobile zone at average rates as great as a few inches per year. Most of the world's active volcanoes are located along or near the boundaries between shifting plates and are called "plate-boundary" volcanoes. However, some active volcanoes are not associated with plate boundaries, and many of these so-called "intraplate" volcanoes form roughly linear chains in the interior of some oceanic plates. The Hawaiian Islands provide perhaps the best example of an "intraplate" volcanic chain, developed by the northwest-moving Pacific Plate passing over an inferred "hot spot" that initiates the magma-generation and volcano-formation process.
Links:http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/PlateTectonics/description_plate_tectonics.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/p/plate_tectonics.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/p/plate_tectonics.htm
How Plate Tectonics are related to The Rock Cycle
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Changing the rate of plate tectonic movements causes changes in the production and destruction of all three rock types.
Metamorphic rocks: The rate of plate motions is directly related to rate of metamorphic rock production. Metamorphic rocks formed at areas of compression are formed at convergent plate boundaries. If one could increase the rate of plate tectonic movements, one would also increase the rate by which metamorphic rocks form.
Igneous rocks: The rate of plate movements is directly related to the rate of igneous rock production. The most common igneous rock type is basalt and it makes up the bulk of oceanic plates. Basalt is formed at divergent plate boundaries the rate of sea floor spreading and, consequently, volcanism.
Sedimentary rocks: The amount of weathering and erosion of rocks is in part controlled by uplift. Uplift occurs when areas of the crust move up due to plate tectonic movements. Rocks will be more likely to erode if they have been uplifted and are essentially unstable and out of balance with the surroundings. The amount of deposition of sediments is controlled by the depth of basins. Sediments will not deposit if there is no room for them! The depth of basins is partially controlled by subsidence (when areas of the crust move down). More subsidence means that there is more room for sediments to deposit and thus for sedimentary rocks to form.
Metamorphic rocks: The rate of plate motions is directly related to rate of metamorphic rock production. Metamorphic rocks formed at areas of compression are formed at convergent plate boundaries. If one could increase the rate of plate tectonic movements, one would also increase the rate by which metamorphic rocks form.
Igneous rocks: The rate of plate movements is directly related to the rate of igneous rock production. The most common igneous rock type is basalt and it makes up the bulk of oceanic plates. Basalt is formed at divergent plate boundaries the rate of sea floor spreading and, consequently, volcanism.
Sedimentary rocks: The amount of weathering and erosion of rocks is in part controlled by uplift. Uplift occurs when areas of the crust move up due to plate tectonic movements. Rocks will be more likely to erode if they have been uplifted and are essentially unstable and out of balance with the surroundings. The amount of deposition of sediments is controlled by the depth of basins. Sediments will not deposit if there is no room for them! The depth of basins is partially controlled by subsidence (when areas of the crust move down). More subsidence means that there is more room for sediments to deposit and thus for sedimentary rocks to form.
Links:http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/climate/geosphere_plate_tectonics.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmC-vjQGSNM&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmC-vjQGSNM&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
Different pathways that The rock cycle can make:
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One way for The Rock Cycle to start is starting at Igneous rock it can go Igneous rock to erosion to sediment to deposition and that is how you get a Sedimentary Rock.Starting at Sedimentary rock and if it goes through heat and pressure and you get a Metamorphic rock and starting at a sedimentary rock to melting and then volcanic activity to a igneous rock.If you start at Metamorphic rock and you to erosion and then you get sediment and then deposition you get a Sedimentary rock.