There are three types of reservoirs in the lithospheric cycle: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Various processes, such as burial and melting, volcanism, or erosion move this material from one reservoir to another. The major process that drives the rock cycle is plate tectonics, the movement of Earth's crustal plates that is driven by convection currents of the magma within the Earth itself. Students are investigating the types of rocks found in various locations throughout California, the state where they live and attend school. What hypothesis might the students formulate to guide their research on rock formation, given that they live in California?

Question

Leroy Young

Social Studies

4 May, 19:00

There are three types of reservoirs in the lithospheric cycle: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Various processes, such as burial and melting, volcanism, or erosion move this material from one reservoir to another. The major process that drives the rock cycle is plate tectonics, the movement of Earth's crustal plates that is driven by convection currents of the magma within the Earth itself. Students are investigating the types of rocks found in various locations throughout California, the state where they live and attend school. What hypothesis might the students formulate to guide their research on rock formation, given that they live in California?

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Answers (1)

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Patricia Kim · Answer 1

Oldest rocks in California are considered to be the ancient metamorphic rocks which are schist and gneiss and are ranged in age from about 1.4 billion years to 1.7 billion years.

These old metamorphic rocks are derived from the older sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks and were highly subjected to heat, pressure, partial melting and recrystallization that occurred during the period of mountain building which is associated with the continental collisions of the tectonic plates which existed long ago in Earth's history. Such rocks are found in the Grand canyon of California.