How does metamorphic rock change to sedimentary rock and then to igneous rock?

Answer 1

Metamorphic rock must first turn into sediment through uplift, weathering, erosion and deposition before the sediments can undergo lithification and become sedimentary rock. Further compaction, pressure, and heat can turn it into metamorphic rock. In order to change into igneous rock it would need to be buried so deep in the earth that the heat partially melts the metamorphic rock forming magma. Then the magma would need to ascend, cool, and undergo recrystallization to form igneous rock.

Answer 2

They must first undergo weathering which breaks them into transportable sized fragments, erosion which carries them to a place of deposition, deposited in a still area or one in which the particles can no longer be carried by the forces of erosion, compacted by the weight of water and/or additional sediments, and then cemented by minerals that form out of the water that is present between the particles of sediment. Cementing minerals may include as part of their makeup, silicon, calcium carbonate, clay, and iron.

Answer 3

Simply put igneous rock is the rock that forms directly from the cooling of lava from the earth. This rock, over time, is bent and distorted and weathered to form another rock completely called metamorphic rock. Eventually this metamorphic rock is weathered down and broken down into very small particles like sand. These mall particles become compressed usually on river beds and lake bottoms but they get compressed into another type of rock called Sedimentary.

Answer 4

The rock cycle is pretty involved. Without a diagram, it's a little hard to explain. It helps to know the definitions of each:

Igneous: Formed from fire

sedimentary: Formed from sediment (like sand or gravel)

Metamorphic: Formed from an existing rock being subject to intense heat and/or pressure, but not enough to completely melt the rock.

Basically:

Sedimentary --> igneous via melting and solidifying (probably within the mantle of the Earth). During melting, the entire chemical and thus mineral composition of the rock is changed. When this magma cools again into an igneous (formed from fire) rock, it is a completely new rock.

Sedimentary --> metamorphic via intense heat and pressure, but not enough to completely melt the rock and change it's chemical structure.

Not sure if you wanted all the possible combinations, but I'm having fun so here you go:

igneous --> Sedimentary via erosion in to sediment particles and then cementing into sedimentary rock.

igneous --> metamorphic via heat and/or pressure great enough to change the rock's form without completely melting it (same as sedimentary)

metamorphic --> sedimentary via erosion in to sediment particles and then cementing into sedimentary rock. (same as before)

Metamorphic --> igneous via melting into magma in the mantle and cooling and solidifying again as a different rock.

So basically, ANY type of rock can be changed into an igneous rock by getting melted completely and then cooling again into rock.

ANY type of rock can become sedimentary by eroding (breaking down) into small particles (sediment) and then being cemented together again by a number of different possible processes.

ANY type of rock can be made into a metamorphic rock by being subject to heat and/or pressure great enough to morph the rock with out destroying its chemical/mineral composition.

Answer 5

They change through the processes of the rock cycle which can involve weathering, erosion, pressure, heat, and lithification, due to the forces of gravity, solar energy, and Earth's internal heat.