6.1. The Rock Cycle – Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter of the textbook, learning the vocabulary, and working through the review questions, students should be able to:

• Define the term rock.
• Name the three main types of rocks.
• Describe what processes act on the three types of rocks to transform them in the rock cycle.
• Draw a rock cycle diagram showing the types of rocks and processes that act on them to change them through time.
• Give examples of plate tectonic environments where each major rock type is formed.
• Name the characteristics we use to identify rocks.