How do the ways rocks are formed make them different?

Arizona Science Strand 6, Concept 1, Grade 3, PO 2: Describe the different types of rocks and how they are formed: metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary.

There are three types of rocks: Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Igneous

Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary rocks are formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms. They form from deposits that accumulate on the Earth's surface.

Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary rocks often have distinctive layering. Many of the picturesque views of the desert southwest show mesas and arches made of layered sedimentary rock.

Metamorphic Rocks Metamorphic rocks started out as some other type of rock, but have been substantially changed from their original igneous, sedimentary, or earlier metamorphic form.

Metamorphic Rocks Metamorphic rocks form when rocks are subjected to high heat, high pressure, hot, mineral-rich fluids or, more commonly, some combination of these factors. Conditions like these are found deep within the Earth or where tectonic plates meet.

Metamorphic Rocks Metamorphic rocks are often squished, smeared out, and folded. Despite these uncomfortable conditions, metamorphic rocks do not get hot enough to melt, or they would become igneous rocks!

Igneous Rocks Igneous rocks (from the Greek word for fire) form from when hot, molten rock (magma) crystallizes and solidifies. The melt originates deep within the Earth near active plate boundaries or hot spots, then rises toward the surface.

Igneous Rocks Extrusive , or volcanic, igneous rock is produced when magma exits and cools outside of, or very near the Earth's surface. Intrusive, or plutonic igneous rock forms when magma is trapped deep inside the Earth.

Information Resource: Photo Sources: http://www.moorlandschool.co.uk/earth/earth_science/utah_sandstone.jpg http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00830/sedimentaryrock.jpg http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/images/sedcircle.jpg http://www.amgueddfacymru.ac.uk/media/2/2/5/2/thumb_500/cambrian_sediments.jpg http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/rocks/mtrx/6mrx-schist1.jpg http://voyagerstories.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/rock-cycle.jpg http://www.nvcc.edu/home/cbentley/shenandoah/catoctin_basalt_column_cross_section_deformed.jpg http://www.earth.ox.ac.uk/~oesis/field/medium/granodiorite1.jpg http://www.earth.ox.ac.uk/~oesis/field/index.html http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00461/images/igneous.jpg http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/wis/teachers/dtewhey/webquest/nature/images/lava_flow.jpg http://www.galleries.com/rocks/igneous.jpg http://www.scienceclarified.com/images/uesc_09_img0503.jpg Information Resource: http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/rocks/links.html