Science
What is The rock cycle?
The rock cycle is the continuous process by which rocks change between three types — igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic — over vast stretches of time. Heat, pressure, weathering, and melting slowly transform one kind of rock into another.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the rock cycle.
Key things to understand
- 1Rocks shift between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic forms.
- 2Melting and cooling make igneous rock.
- 3Weathering and compaction make sedimentary rock.
- 4Heat and pressure make metamorphic rock.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the rock cycle?
- The ongoing process by which rocks transform between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types over time.
- What are the three types of rock?
- Igneous (from cooled magma), sedimentary (from compacted particles), and metamorphic (changed by heat and pressure).
- How long does the rock cycle take?
- Typically millions of years, as geological forces slowly reshape rock.