The Rock Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Rock Cycle - Essay Example The rock cycle is a way of representing the relationship among the three main types of rocks namely sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. The rocks undergo a constant gradual transition from one form to another. The transitions depend on the physical conditions around them. This paper discusses the cycle and the way in which the rocks change from one form to the other.  The rock cycle is a way of representing the relationship among the three main types of rocks namely sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. The rocks undergo a constant gradual transition from one form to another. The transitions depend on the physical conditions around them. This paper discusses the cycle and the way in which the rocks change from one form to the other.  Under the earth surface, the conditions available do not allow the rocks to exist in their solid state. Instead, they exist as magma that is a hot liquid. As the magma moves upwards, cooling takes place, and it finally solidifies to for m the igneous rocks. Some of the magma under pressure during the process of volcanicity moves out as lava on the earth surface. The result is volcanic rocks, which are of fine grains (Mattern, 2005).   On the earth surface, igneous rocks undergo the process of weathering since their components do not stabilize at the surface conditions. Moving water and wind are the main factors of weathering. The rocks are broken down to pieces or sediments and carried away mixing up with other components. After quite a long duration of time, the sediments are finally glued together to form sedimentary rocks (Mattern, 2005). Exposing the rocks to high temperature and pressure on the earth surface causes a physical change on them. The high temperature cause hardening of large masses of rocks called metamorphic rocks. The metamorphic rocks are responsible for forming Mountains. Both the metamorphic and sedimentary rocks can melt again to form magma under high temperature. Weathering occurs again on metamorphic rocks, resulting to the formation of sedimentary rocks. The rock cycle starts over continuously (Mattern, 2005).

Throughout the Pacific islands, settler societies became increasingly Essay

Throughout the Pacific islands, settler societies became increasingly concerned with issues of race and gender. Do you agree or disagree Justify your answer - Essay Example Before long, France, the United States, Germany, and Britain had claims to one or several of the Pacific islands. Prior to the arrival of these explorers and settlers, the indigenous inhabitants of the islands had their rudimentary forms of culture and governance. It was far from similar to the colonial ways, but it was sufficient to maintain their society in relatively peaceful coexistence with their fellow islanders. Early foreign contact with native inhabitants of the islands was with beachcombers. They had cordial and friendly relations with each other. Other explorers who later made contact with the natives had a different perception of the natives. They saw them as an uncivilized, unlearned, and un-Christianized group of savages. They were determined to change the culture of the indigenous inhabitants. They wanted to teach them the right ways, which was--their way-the European way. The arrival of the settler communities in the Pacific marked the slow and gradual breakdown of the ancient ways and customs of the unique Pacific inhabitants. These settlers represented to the natives the loss of their rich land and resources, the loss of their population to diseases brought by the new settlers and the introduction of the white frontier woman. This essay discusses the Pacific island history focusing on the events of 19th Century colonialism which marked the arrival of the settler societies in the Pacific, the influence that these settlers had on the Pacific natives, and the eventual reactions of the natives to the settler communities. J.B. Thurston wrote that ‘with all our highfalutin to the contrary, the wrongs we have committed in the names of Christianity, civilization, [and] progress are manifold. We are ... a race of robbers and spoilers.’ 1 The arrival of the settler societies in the Pacific islands brought with it racial and ethnic tension. The cultures of these two societies were so diverse from each other that