Pebbles to Mountains

Pebbles to Mountains

Pebbles to Mountains
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 8 to 9
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	9.14

Vocabulary

challenging words:

noncrystalline, transporters, cementation, igneous, deposition, organic, geologists, metamorphic, erosion, molten, magma, composition, portion, classify, sedimentary, harden

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Pebbles to Mountains
By Trista L. Pollard

¹     Before you pick up that rock, you should know that it has traveled a long way. In fact, rocks are the reason we have solid parts of our planet that are constantly regenerating. It is amazing that we take these important substances for granted. If you were to examine rocks closely, you would observe more than one mineral or solid organic matter within its internal structure. You may also observe noncrystalline substances like glass as part of the rock's composition. Geologists are the scientists who classify rocks and analyze the processes that form rocks on our planet. Rocks also give scientists information about the environments where they were formed. Since rocks are a huge portion of the Earth's crust, it is important for scientists to understand how they form.

²     There are three major types of rocks called igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Igneous rocks form as a result of volcanic activity. In fact, the word igneous is Latin meaning "from fire." When magma cools and hardens, igneous rock is born. Once molten rock reaches the Earth's surface it is referred to as lava.

³     Sedimentary rock forms after the processes of erosion, deposition, and cementation occur. As the wind and waves beat on the Earth's surface, rocks are broken down into smaller particles through erosion. These smaller particles are from every type of rock. Once these rocks, along with mineral crystals and organic materials, are broken down, they are called sediment. Rivers and streams, huge transporters of sediment, move these materials and deposit the sediment in other areas. The deposited sediment becomes compressed as more layers are added. Eventually, this compression causes the sediment to become cemented or glued together and to harden. Through these processes, sedimentary rock is formed.

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