How Rocks Change: The Rock Cycle Explained

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a clear and engaging introduction to the rock cycle, explaining how the three main types of rocks—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—are formed and related to one another. The host uses a combination of direct narration, photographic examples, and animated diagrams to illustrate geological processes such as cooling magma, weathering, erosion, sedimentation, and the application of heat and pressure deep within the Earth. Key themes include the distinction between weathering (breaking down rocks) and erosion (moving rocks), the specific conditions required to create different rock types, and the cyclic nature of geological change. The video uses relatable analogies, such as sandpaper on wood, to explain abstract concepts like abrasion, and references real-world landmarks like the Grand Canyon to contextualize geological time scales. This resource is highly valuable for Earth Science units in elementary and middle school classrooms. It simplifies complex geological processes into understandable steps, helping students visualize how the Earth's crust is constantly recycling itself. Teachers can use this video to introduce rock classification, demonstrate the effects of natural forces on landscapes, and spark discussions about how local geological features might have formed.