How can an igneous rock turn into a sedimentary rock?
A. through erosion, heat and pressure
B. through erosion, pressure and cementation
C. through cementation, pressure and erosion
D. through heat, erosion and pressure
B. through erosion, pressure and cementation
The correct answer is B. through erosion, pressure, and cementation.
Here's a step-by-step explanation of how an igneous rock can turn into a sedimentary rock:
1. Erosion: Weathering and erosion break down the igneous rock into smaller pieces, such as sediments or fragments.
2. Transportation: These sediments are then transported by various agents, such as wind, water, or ice, to a new location. They can be carried through rivers, streams, or deposited in ocean basins.
3. Deposition: The sediments settle and accumulate in layers, usually in bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or oceans.
4. Compaction: Over time, as more and more sediments accumulate, the weight of the layers above exerts pressure on the lower layers. This pressure presses the sediments together, reducing the space between them.
5. Cementation: During compaction, minerals dissolved in water can fill in the spaces between the sediments, acting as natural cement. The minerals precipitate and bind the sediments together, forming a solid rock.
As a result of these processes - erosion, transportation, deposition, compaction, and cementation - the igneous rock can transform into a sedimentary rock.
To understand how an igneous rock can transform into a sedimentary rock, we first need to know the process involved. The most appropriate answer is B. through erosion, pressure, and cementation.
Igneous rocks are formed when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies. They can undergo weathering and erosion, which break them down into small fragments or sediments. These sediments can include pieces of igneous rocks, along with other rock types.
Once the igneous rock is eroded, the sediments are transported by various agents such as wind, water, or ice. The sediments may be carried over long distances, eventually ending up in a new location.
The next step is the process of deposition. This occurs when the transporting agent slows down or stops, causing the sediments to settle and accumulate. Over time, these sediments layer on top of each other.
As more and more sediment layers accumulate, the weight of the overlying layers increases. This weight exerts pressure on the underlying sediments.
The final stage of the transformation from igneous to sedimentary rock is cementation. During this process, minerals in the sediments dissolve in the groundwater and precipitate, acting as a natural cement. The cement binds the individual sediment grains together, forming a solid rock.
So, the correct answer is B. through erosion, pressure, and cementation.