USGS Science Topics: Rock cycle

Rock cycle

General concept of the recycling of material in the earth's crust, from the formation of mountains and the transfer of their material through erosion to the oceans as sediment, to its reincorporation in new mountains through tectonic subduction.

Explore these categories:

Erosion(stage of)

The process whereby materials of the earth's crust are loosened, dissolved, or worn away and simultaneously moved from one place to another.

Sedimentation(stage of)

Process of deposition of sediments (loose, uncemented pieces of rock, mineral fragments, or biological materials). The sediments settle out of water or air into layers on a surface.

Tectonic processes(contribute to)

The structural forces affecting the deformation, uplift, and movement of the earth's crust.

Volcanic activity(contribute to)

Episodes during which gases, ash, and lava (molten rock) escape from vents in the earth's crust, accompanied by minor tremors.

Subduction zones(contribute to)

Convergent tectonic plate boundaries in which one plate is moving downward.