Question

the rock cycle
a volcano on a remote island erupts. lava flows over the surface of the small island. the lava cools and forms igneous rock. based on the diagram of the rock cycle above, what will most likely happen to the igneous rock next?
○a. the igneous rock will be transformed into dirt.
○b. the igneous rock will be weathered and form sedimentary rock.
○c. the igneous rock will chemically change into another type of igneous rock.

Explanation:

According to the rock cycle diagram, after the formation of igneous rock (extrusive in this case as it's from lava on the surface), the next process shown in the cycle is weathering. Weathering of igneous rock leads to the formation of sediments. These sediments then go through transportation, deposition, and lithification to form sedimentary rock. Option A is incorrect as "dirt" is not a proper geological transformation step in the rock cycle. Option C is wrong because igneous rock chemically changing into another igneous rock (without melting) is not the next step in the cycle shown; melting would be needed for that (to form magma and then new igneous rock through crystallization).

Answer:

B. The igneous rock will be weathered and form sedimentary rock.