what do you mean by rock cycle

The rock cycle is a fundamental concept in geology describing the continuous process through which the three main rock types—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—are created, transformed from one type to another, broken down, and formed again over geologic time. This cycle involves various processes such as melting, cooling, erosion, sedimentation, heat, and pressure changes, driven by Earth's internal heat, tectonic activity, and surface forces like water and wind. The rock cycle explains how rocks do not remain static but are constantly changing forms in a cyclical manner throughout Earth's history.