1. Weathering: Igneous rocks are exposed to the elements (wind, rain, ice, temperature changes) at the Earth's surface. This causes them to break down into smaller pieces (sediments).
2. Erosion: The weathered sediments are picked up and transported by wind, water, or ice. This is the process of erosion.
3. Transportation: Sediments are carried away from their original location by wind, water, or ice, potentially over long distances.
4. Deposition: As the transporting forces lose energy, the sediments settle and accumulate in a new location, often in layers.
5. Lithification: Over time, the sediment layers are buried under more sediments. The weight of the overlying material compresses the sediments, and dissolved minerals from groundwater can cement the sediment particles together, turning them into solid rock. This process is called lithification.
Important Note: The sedimentary rocks formed from this process are then subject to further geological processes like burial, heat, and pressure, which can potentially turn them into metamorphic rocks, restarting the rock cycle.