Geology is the study of the rocks of the earth and the processes by which they evolve. The three main forms of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock. These rocks are formed from each other through differing processes as well as unconsolidated material. Unconsolidated material comes from recent deposits and the study of these materials forms a specific form of subspecialty of geology called Quaternary geology.
The rock cycle shows the changes that occur between igneous rock, sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock, and magma. Cooling magma and lava forms igneous rock which is the most present of the three in the Earth’s crust. Igneous rock can change to metamorphic rock through pressure and temperature due to the mineral content of the rock which then gives it a characteristic spacial and geometric configuration. Igneous rock can also be formed into sedimentary rock through erosion and the subsequent redepositing of the sediment. Both metamorphic and sedimentary rock returns to igneous rock through heating it enough to melt it to magma.
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