8.6 The Rock Cycle Scientists continued to collect evidence about how rocks are made. In the 1700s, British geologist James Hutton thought about the evidence. He pieced it together to create the rock cycle.

8.6 The Rock Cycle

8.6 The Rock Cycle The rock cycle describes how rocks change and are recycled into new rocks over millions of years. No one can see what’s happening deep underground. Scientists work this out by looking at rocks formed long ago that have come to the surface.

8.6 The Rock Cycle Weathering and erosion wear down mountains. The sediments make sedimentary rocks.

8.6 The Rock Cycle Under the surface, high temperatures and pressures may turn sedimentary or igneous rocks into metamorphic rocks.

8.6 The Rock Cycle Some rocks sink deep under the Earth’s surface. They get hot enough to melt and make magma.

8.6 The Rock Cycle The magma is pushed upwards.

8.6 The Rock Cycle Some magma cools and solidifies underground Some magma comes out of volcanoes and solidifies on the surface.

8.6 The Rock Cycle Igneous rocks are made.

8.6 The Rock Cycle At any time, huge forces from inside the Earth may push rocks upwards to make mountains. This is uplift. So any type of rock may end up on a mountaintop.