The rock cycle doesn't truly have a beginning or end. It's a continuous process, a loop where rocks are constantly changing and transforming from one type to another.

Here's why:

* Interconnected Processes: The rock cycle involves weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, cementation, heat, and pressure. These processes are all interconnected and happen simultaneously in different parts of the Earth.

* No Fixed Starting Point: Rocks can be transformed from igneous to sedimentary, from sedimentary to metamorphic, or from metamorphic to igneous. There's no specific starting point.

Think of it like a circle:

Imagine a circle representing the rock cycle. The "start" and "end" points on that circle are essentially the same. The cycle is always in motion, with rocks constantly moving through different stages.

Here's a simplified example:

1. Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooling magma or lava.

2. Weathering & Erosion: Igneous rocks are broken down by wind, rain, and ice.

3. Sedimentary Rocks: The broken-down pieces (sediments) are transported, deposited, compacted, and cemented together.

4. Metamorphic Rocks: Sedimentary rocks are subjected to heat and pressure, transforming them into metamorphic rocks.

5. Melting & Cooling: Metamorphic rocks can be melted and cooled, creating new igneous rocks, starting the cycle again.

So, while we can talk about the rock cycle in terms of stages, it's important to remember that it's a continuous process without a defined beginning or end.