The illustration provides information about a stone formation cycle in nature.
Overall, the cycle contains two main stages, which are divided into 8 steps. The process starts with subduction and melting, and it ends with accumulation of sediments on metamorphic rocks.
At the beginning, subduction and melting occur in regions where pressure reaches 2400 atm and temperature is 3200°C. Afterwards, by main drivers such as internal heat and tectonic movements, magma forms under the ground. Once lava has formed, a volcanic eruption then occurs, generally thrice a year. Subsequently, erupted magma, as a granitic layer, cools on a basaltic layer. While it has cooled, solidification then happens.
In the first 7 months, stones undergo a process of chemical and physical weathering – that is, the breaking down of rocks into small pieces. After that, sediments of rocks transfer by the influence of weather, especially river’s. Then, transferred sediments deposit on river turns. Finally, accumulated sediments cement above metamorphic rocks, which are created by the impact of heat and pressure of rocks on them. Then, the cycle begins again