Rocks and The Rock Cycle Vocabulary

Rocks and the rock cycle vocabulary Texture- The look and feel of a rock’s surface determined by the size, shape and pattern of a rock’s grains. Igneous rock- A type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface. Metamorphic rock- A rock type that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure or chemical reactions. Sedimentary rock- a type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are compressed, compacted and cemented together. Compaction- the process by which sediments are pressed together under their own weight. Cementation- The process by which dissolved minerals crystallize and glue particles of sediment together into one mass. Chemical rock- Sedimentary rock that forms when minerals crystallize from solution. Clastic rock- Sedimentary rock that forms when rock fragments are squeezed together under high pressure. Deposition- Process in which sediment is laid down in new locations. Elevation- Height above sea level. Erosion- The process by which water, ice, wind or gravity moves weathered particles of rock and soil. Extrusive rock- Igneous rock layer formed when lava flows onto Earth’s surface and hardens. Foliated- The term used to describe metamorphic rocks that have grains arranged in parallel layers or bands. Grains- The particles of minerals or other rocks that give a rock its texture. Intrusive rock- Igneous rock layer formed when magma hardens beneath Earth’s surface. Landforms- A feature of topography formed by the processes that shape Earth’s surface. Landform region- A large area of land where the topography is made mainly of one type of landform. Mountain-A land form with high elevation and high relief. Mountain range- A group of mountains that are closely related in shape, structure, area, and age. Organic rock- Sedimentary rock that forms from remains of organisms deposited in thick layers. Plain- A landform made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief. Plateau- A Large landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface. Relief- The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area. Rock cycle- a series of processes on the surface and inside earth that slowly change rock from one kind to another. Rock forming mineral- Any of the common minerals that make up most of the rocks of Earth’s crust. Sediment- Small, solid pieces of materials that come from rocks or the remains of organisms: earth materials deposited by erosion. Topography- The shape of the land determined by elevation, relief and landforms. Weathering- The chemical, physical, and biological processes that break down rock and other substances.