How can an igneous rock turn into a sedimentary rock?
A. Through heat erosion and pressure
B. Through cementation pressure and erosion
C. Through erosion heat and pressure
D. Through erosion pressure and cementation
B. Through cementation pressure and erosion
The correct answer is D. Through erosion, pressure, and cementation.
The correct answer is B. Through cementation, pressure, and erosion.
To understand how an igneous rock can turn into a sedimentary rock, it's important to know the processes involved. Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and lithification (compaction and cementation) of sediment. Igneous rocks, on the other hand, are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
The process of transforming an igneous rock into a sedimentary rock typically involves three main steps: erosion, transportation, and deposition. Here's a breakdown of how it happens:
1. Erosion: Weathering and erosion break down the surface of the igneous rock into smaller fragments or sediments. This can occur through various processes such as physical weathering (e.g., freeze-thaw cycles, abrasion) or chemical weathering (e.g., dissolution, oxidation).
2. Transportation: The newly generated sediment particles are then transported by various agents like wind, water (rivers, streams, waves), or ice (glaciers). These agents carry the sediments away from their original location and transport them to a new deposition site.
3. Deposition, Compaction, and Cementation: Once the sediments reach their new location, they settle and undergo compaction. The weight of the overlying sediment or rocks exerts pressure on the deposited sediments, causing them to become more tightly packed.
With time, the sediments can become lithified, or turned into rock, through a process called cementation. During cementation, minerals present in the groundwater fill the spaces between the sediment particles and bind them together. This process helps solidify the sediment into a cohesive sedimentary rock.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. Through cementation, pressure, and erosion, an igneous rock can transform into a sedimentary rock.