Table Of ContentSUPER SIMPLE
E A R T H INVESTIGATION
S
S U P ER SIMPL
E
K C
C Y
O C
L
R
E
R OJEC
P T
S
Science Activities for
Future Petrologists
Jessie Alkire
Consulting Editor, Diane Craig, M.A./Reading Specialist
abdopublishing.com
TO ADULT HELPERS
Published by Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis,
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Title: Super simple rock cycle projects: science activities for future petrologists / by starting, and be ready to
Jessie Alkire.
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Description: Minneapolis, Minnesota : Abdo Publishing, 2018. | Series: Super simple
earth investigations
Identifiers: LCCN 2017946519 | ISBN 9781532112393 (lib.bdg.) |
ISBN 9781614799818 (ebook) Key Symbols
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S What Is the Rock Cycle? 4
Types of Rocks 6
T
How Scientists Study
the Rock Cycle 8
N
Materials 10
Crayon Rock Cycle 12
E
Sand Erosion Model 16
T
Sediment Jar 20
Weathering Cubes 22
N
Rock in a Cup 24
O Sparkling Eggshell Geodes 26
Conclusion 30
C
Quiz 31
Glossary 32
WHAT IS
THE ROCK CYCLE?
The rock cycle is a geological process. It is how rocks are
formed. Rocks are also changed and destroyed in the cycle.
Each kind of rock can become another kind over and over again.
Most of Earth’s crust
is made up of rocks.
They can be found
underground and on
Earth’s surface. Rocks
also shape landforms
around us.
Rocks are made of
minerals. Some are
made of one mineral.
Others are made of
many minerals. Rocks
can be many shapes,
CRUMBLING ROCKS colors, and sizes.
4
STONE FENCE
Rocks are important.
They have had
many purposes
throughout history.
Their uses include
tools, weapons, and
building supplies.
Minerals from rocks
are used to create
chemicals and other
substances we need.
STONE ARROWHEADS
5
TYPES OF ROCKS
Three kinds of rocks make up the rock
cycle. Each kind can become one of the
other kinds through the rock cycle.
IGNEOUS
ROCKS
Igneous rocks form
from magma. Magma
cools and hardens into
igneous rocks. These
rocks can be formed
underground. They can
also be formed above
ground after a volcano
erupts. Granite is a
type of igneous rock.
6
SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS
Erosion helps form
sedimentary rocks. Wind and
water erode rocks. The rocks
break into pieces called
sediments. The sediments
pile up in layers. Pressure
pushes the layers together.
This creates sedimentary
rocks. Sandstone is a type of
sedimentary rock.
METAMORPHIC
ROCKS
Metamorphic rocks start
underground as other
kinds of rocks. The rocks
change due to heat and
pressure within Earth.
This creates metamorphic
rocks. Marble is a type of
metamorphic rock.
7
HOW SCIENTISTS
STUDY THE ROCK CYCLE
Some scientists study the
rock cycle. They are called
petrologists. There are three
main branches of petrology. Each
branch studies one kind of rock.
Petrologists travel the world. They
collect rock samples. Then they
study the rocks in labs.
Scientists use special microscopes
to study rocks up close. They look
at a rock’s structure. They do tests
to find out what minerals the rock
is made of. They try to find out
how the rock formed. Then they
classify the rock.
A PETROLOGIST IN THE LAB
8
