The Rock Cycle Vocabulary
Igneous Rock formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava
Sedimentary Rock types of rock that are formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface and within bodies of water.
Metamorphic Rocks a result of a transformation of a pre-existing rock. The original rock is subjected to very high heat and pressure, which cause obvious physical and/or chemical changes.
Compaction The weight from the layers of sediment forces out liquids and decreases the space between grains.
Cementation When minerals dissolved in water crystallize between sediment grains.
Lithification the process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel fluids, and gradually become solid rock. Includes cementation and compaction.
Extrusive When volcanic material erupts and cools and crystallizes on Earth’s surface.
Intrusive Igneous rocks that form as magma cools underground.
Foliated Contain parallel layers of flat and elongated minerals.