Increased Pressure, and increased temperature, over long periods of time.
Weathering and ErosionDepositionCompactionLithificationCementationThose are the five steps for an igneous rock to become a sedimentary rock!
The rock cycle involves 5 main steps: (1) formation of rocks through cooling and solidification of magma/lava, (2) weathering and erosion breaking down rocks into sediments, (3) transportation of these sediments by natural forces, (4) deposition and compaction of sediments to form sedimentary rocks, and (5) metamorphism of existing rocks due to heat and pressure to form metamorphic rocks.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the lithification (cementing, compacting, and hardening) of existing rock or the bones, shells, and pieces of formerly living things. Rocks are weathered and eroded into tiny particles which are then transported and deposited along with other pieces of rock called sediments. Sediments are cemented together and compacted and hardened over time by the weight and pressure of up to thousands of feet of additional sediments above them. Eventually, the sediments are lithified and become solid sedimentary rock. These sediments that come together are known as clastic sediments. Sediments usually sort themselves by the size of the particles during the deposition process so sedimentary rocks tend to contain similarly sized sedimentary particles. An alternative to clastic sediments are chemical sediments which are minerals in solution that harden. The most common chemical sedimentary rock is limestone, which is a biochemical product of calcium carbonate created by the parts of dead creatures. Approximately three-quarters of the earth's bedrock on the continents is sedimentary.
Sedimentary rock can form in more than one way. The bulk of sedimentary rock is clastic sedimentary rock, formed from the weathering and erosion of existing rock. The steps in its formation are listed below. Numbers 4 and 5 are often listed together as the process of lithification. For further explanation of sedimentary rock formation, see the related question below.Weathering of pre-existing rock into smaller pieces.Erosion and transportation of weathered rock particles (sediments).Deposition of eroded sediments.Compaction of deposited sediments.Cementation of compacting sediments.
The rock cycle consists of three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, each undergoing various processes. Igneous rocks form from cooled magma or lava, then weather and erode into sediments, which compact and cement to create sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks can undergo heat and pressure, transforming them into metamorphic rocks. Finally, metamorphic rocks can melt into magma, completing the cycle as they re-emerge as igneous rocks.
The direct route would be for the metamorphic rocks to become exposed at the surface and undergo weathering and erosion. The particles broken loose and transported by those processes could eventually be deposited, compacted, and cemented together with other rock particles into a sedimentary rock.
Weathering and erosion are the steps that occur immediately before sediments are laid down in the rock cycle. Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller particles, while erosion transports these particles to a new location where they can accumulate and form sedimentary rocks.
Weathering and erosion break down rocks into sediment. Sediment is transported and deposited, forming sedimentary rocks. Heat and pressure can metamorphose sedimentary rocks into metamorphic rocks. Melting of metamorphic or sedimentary rocks can create magma. Magma can solidify underground to form igneous rocks. Igneous rocks exposed to the surface can undergo weathering and erosion, restarting the cycle.
In the rock cycle, rocks can transition between three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. For example, igneous rocks can weather and erode to form sediment, which can then compact and cement into sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks can be subjected to heat and pressure, transforming them into metamorphic rocks. Conversely, metamorphic rocks can melt into magma, which can cool and solidify into igneous rocks, creating a continuous cycle.
They are all linked because you have to go through a cycle to get each one. Each one comes from the other.
Sedimentary rock can form in more than one way. The majority of sedimentary rock is clastic sedimentary rock, formed from the weathering and erosion of existing rock. The steps in its formation are listed below. Steps 4 and 5 are often listed together as the process of lithification.Weathering of pre-existing rock into smaller pieces.Erosion and transportation of weathered rock particles (sediments).Deposition of eroded sediments.Compaction of deposited sediments.Cementation of compacting sediments.For further explanation of sedimentary rock formation, see the related question below.
The Rock Cycle follows a series of steps that may simplistically be considered as :- Plutonic rocks either erupting or emerging; followed by a mountain buildingprocess; followed by a surface weathering process which produces sediments that eventually find their way to the abyssal deeps of the ocean floor.These sediments may be consumed by subduction zones at some plate boundaries, and the sediments become deeply buried and heated. The high temperatures and pressure cause Metamorphic processes to proceed, thus making new rock minerals from the sedimentary mix. These can be investigated to determine the conditions at which these new minerals were formed.Some of these metamorphic rocks are borne directly to the surface again as new mountain ranges, for these sedimentary rocks are lighter than plutonic ones are. Otherwise, the descending rocks will be eventually absorbed into the magma. To begin the cycle over again.Because of the sedimentary rocks being lighter than the magmatic ones, they 'float' on the magma, forming long lasting continental plates. Some of the older ones date to about 4 billion years old.