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  • Rock Cycle: How Metamorphic & Sedimentary Rocks Become Sediment
    This question is a bit tricky! The processes that transform metamorphic and sedimentary rocks into sediment are actually the same processes that break down all rocks. They are:

    1. Weathering: This is the process where rocks are broken down by forces like:

    * Physical weathering: This involves things like freezing and thawing of water in cracks, abrasion by wind or water, or plant roots growing in cracks.

    * Chemical weathering: This involves reactions with water, acids, or oxygen, which can dissolve or alter the minerals in the rock.

    2. Erosion: This is the process of moving the weathered rock fragments from their original location. This can be done by:

    * Wind: Wind carries small particles of sediment.

    * Water: Rivers, streams, oceans, and glaciers can transport sediment.

    * Ice: Glaciers can scrape and carry huge amounts of sediment.

    * Gravity: Gravity pulls sediment down slopes.

    3. Deposition: This is the process where the transported sediment finally comes to rest. This can happen in many places:

    * Rivers: Rivers slow down and deposit sediment at their mouths.

    * Oceans: Waves and currents deposit sediment on the seafloor.

    * Lakes: Sediment settles to the bottom of lakes.

    * Deserts: Wind deposits sediment in dunes.

    Once sediment is deposited, it can eventually be lithified (turned into rock) through compaction and cementation, leading to the formation of new sedimentary rocks.

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