CogniGuide Logo
CogniGuide

Rock Cycle Mind Map for Earth Science Students

See how each rock type forms, changes and returns to magma. Then turn your own textbook pages or lecture slides into a map.

No credit card required

AI Generated Preview

Trusted by learners from top universities

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of MichiganGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

CogniGuide at a glance

What you get
Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports
Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price
Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up
A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload
PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

Build a Rock Cycle Map From Your Notes

Start from your own material, then expand the branches that matter for your exam.

Map from your own files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint or text file from class and get a map of your rock cycle notes.

Clear rock type branches

Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks each get their own branch with formation processes.

Quiz and flashcards

Turn the map into a quiz to test yourself, or make flashcards from the same notes.

How to Make a Rock Cycle Mind Map

Three steps from your textbook page to a map you can study from.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload your rock cycle notes, a slide deck or a PDF chapter, or simply type the topic.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The generator sorts the processes and rock types into a branched map you can read at a glance.

  3. 3

    Study, expand, quiz

    Expand any node with AI, edit wording, export as PNG or PDF, or test yourself with a quiz.

Understanding the Rock Cycle Mind Map

The rock cycle is the model of how rocks change over time through melting, weathering, burial and heat and pressure. A rock cycle mind map places the rock cycle at the center and branches out to the three main rock families and the processes that link them. Each branch shows how one rock type forms and what it can turn into next.

  • Igneous rocks: form when magma or lava cools and hardens
  • Sedimentary rocks: form from compacted and cemented sediment layers
  • Metamorphic rocks: form when heat and pressure change existing rock
  • Weathering and erosion: break rock into sediment that gets deposited
  • Melting: returns rock to magma deep inside the Earth

Use the map to review the cycle before a test, then tap any node to see its details. To build a map that matches your own class notes, create one with CogniGuide.

Explore related topics

calvin cycle concept mapA calvin cycle concept map shows the three stages of carbon fixation, reduction and regeneration, with the key molecules and enzymes.metamorphic rocks concept mapA metamorphic rocks concept map shows how heat and pressure change rocks, from foliated slate and gneiss to non-foliated marble.water cycle mind mapThis water cycle mind map shows the main stages, from evaporation to runoff, with the key terms for each. Upload your own notes or a PDF to build a custom map.carbon cycle concept mapThis carbon cycle concept map shows the main reservoirs, fluxes and processes in a clear visual layout.sedimentary rocks concept mapThis sedimentary rocks concept map covers how these rocks form, their main types, and key identifying features.phosphorus cycle concept mapThis phosphorus cycle concept map shows rock weathering, uptake by plants, decomposition and sedimentation in one visual outline.rock cycle concept mapExplore a rock cycle concept map showing igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, plus the processes linking them.concept mapping of rock typesLearn how igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks differ in this concept mapping guide.

Rock Cycle Mind Map FAQs

Answers on the rock cycle and on making your own map.

What are the three main rock types in the rock cycle?

The three rock types are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form from cooled magma or lava, sedimentary rocks form from compacted sediment, and metamorphic rocks form when existing rock is changed by heat and pressure without melting.

What drives the rock cycle?

The rock cycle is driven by heat from the Earth's interior and by the energy of the sun. Internal heat causes melting and metamorphism, while sunlight, wind, water and ice drive weathering, erosion and deposition at the surface.

Which file types can I use to make a rock cycle map?

You can upload a PDF, Word (DOCX) or PowerPoint (PPTX) file, a text or Markdown file, or an image of your notes. You can also type the topic directly.

Can I turn my rock cycle map into a quiz?

Yes. Each map can be turned into a quiz to test yourself. The free plan includes 5 creations a week and needs no payment.