Question

How is the rock cycle related to plate tectonics?

Answer 1

Hint:The rock cycle refers to a process in which rocks are continuously transformed between the three rock types namely the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. In a rock cycle, a rock of any type can be converted into another and this process or cycle continues.

Complete answer:
The basaltic igneous rocks are thrusted out at mid ocean ridges that are caused by divergent boundaries. Granite igneous rocks are extracted from the earth’s interior which comes out as volcanoes caused by hot spots and the convergent plate boundaries like subduction zones. All the igneous rocks which are the basis of the rock cycle are formed by plate tectonics.

When the igneous rocks get eroded, they turn into sedimentary rocks. The layers of the sedimentary rocks are generally recycled by plate tectonics. The deep ocean sediments are then turned back into igneous rocks where they are pushed into the mantle at subduction zones. This movement from igneous to sedimentary and again back to igneous constitutes a major part of the rock cycle.
On the other hand, when heat from the mantle fuels the plate tectonics, it causes both the igneous and the sedimentary rocks to be turned into metamorphic rocks. The metamorphic rocks can be eroded into sedimentary rocks and then re-emitted back into igneous rocks. So here, the movement of metamorphic rocks in the rock cycle is also driven by plate tectonics.

Note:Plate tectonics are key elements which helps in the process of rock cycle. Plate tectonics helps in forming the igneous rocks and recycling both the sedimentary and the metamorphic rocks.