Who is credited with discovering the concept of the rock cycle? What does the rock cycle state?

Question

Who is credited with discovering the concept of the rock cycle? What does the rock cycle state?

Answer 1

James Hutton is credited with the first version of the rock cycle, though it has been added to and revised since then.

The rock cycle states that there are three types of rock: Igneous Rock, Sedimentary Rock, and Metamorphic Rock. Through melting, cooling, weathering/erosion, and compaction/cementation, these different forms of rock can be changed from one to another.

Example:

Igneous Rock---> Sedimentary Rock (requires weathering and erosion of the igneous Rock to sediments and then compaction or cementation  of the sediments to form Sedimentary Rock)

or

Sedimentary Rock ---> Metamorphic Rock (requires heat and pressure within the earth)