Understanding the Rock Cycle

According to National Geographic, “the rock cycle is a series of processes that create and transform the types of rocks in the Earth’s crust.” It’s the continuous process of rock formation, erosion, and then reformation. This all takes shape in the form of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. The processes that form these rocks are the building blocks of the earth itself, but why should we care about it now? What’s useful about understanding this cycle, and how do we benefit from it in our modern world?

Soil Production

The constant state of recycling that’s happening on the Earth’s surface produces the very soil itself. All forms of agriculture are made possible because of it, and as an extension, all forms of life that depend on such agriculture, are allowed to thrive in use of it.

Essential Mineral Production

The transitioning of the Earth’s crust is also the major force in mineral production. This includes life-sustaining minerals like sodium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Our nervous systems and bone production depend on them, adding additional importance to the rock cycle’s impact on human flourishing. Even the technology that we rely on every day, is made possible because of rare minerals and metals that are byproducts of the rock cycle.

Construction Materials

Iron ore, and minerals like limestone, marble, and granite, have been used for thousands of years to construct entire civilizations. As a construction services and materials company in the Willamette Valley, RiverBend Materials is particularly impacted by this aspect of the rock cycle. Our aggregate offerings and construction operations are made possible because of it. Beyond that, we get the privilege of using these services and offerings to support our employees and the communities that we serve. Every road we build and construction project that we complete, are directly impacted by the rock cycle in some way. That means that all those that use and benefit from such projects, are also direct beneficiaries.

Energy

Because the rock cycle is relatively predictable, it also provides insights into potential locations of the energy sources that we find in the Earth’s surface. Everything from fossil fuels to radioactive elements used in nuclear energy, are aided by an understanding of the rock cycle.

Precious Stones & Currency

Some of the most valuable things that we know of are the products of the rock cycle. Gold, diamonds, rubies, and all kinds of other precious elements, are not only things of beauty, but their rare natures make them valuable as currency and investments. The value of gold once backed our entire financial system!

Although most rocks don’t hold inherent value on their own, their collective worth, and the process that created them, is incalculable. Our houses, businesses, cities, and even our lives, are dependent on the rock cycle. At RiverBend Materials, we never take this for granted. We take great pride in our part of this process. We get to enrich the world around us by using natural materials in a thoughtful and sustainable way. If you have questions as to how we can use these great products in your next project, give us a call! We’ll show you what the rock cycle can build.

According to National Geographic, “the rock cycle is a series of processes that create and transform the types of rocks in the Earth’s crust.” It’s the continuous process of rock formation, erosion, and then reformation. This all takes shape in the form of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. The processes that form these rocks are the building blocks of the earth itself, but why should we care about it now? What’s useful about understanding this cycle, and how do we benefit from it in our modern world?

Soil Production

The constant state of recycling that’s happening on the Earth’s surface produces the very soil itself. All forms of agriculture are made possible because of it, and as an extension, all forms of life that depend on such agriculture, are allowed to thrive in use of it.

Essential Mineral Production

The transitioning of the Earth’s crust is also the major force in mineral production. This includes life-sustaining minerals like sodium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Our nervous systems and bone production depend on them, adding additional importance to the rock cycle’s impact on human flourishing. Even the technology that we rely on every day, is made possible because of rare minerals and metals that are byproducts of the rock cycle.

Construction Materials

Iron ore, and minerals like limestone, marble, and granite, have been used for thousands of years to construct entire civilizations. As a construction services and materials company in the Willamette Valley, RiverBend Materials is particularly impacted by this aspect of the rock cycle. Our aggregate offerings and construction operations are made possible because of it. Beyond that, we get the privilege of using these services and offerings to support our employees and the communities that we serve. Every road we build and construction project that we complete, are directly impacted by the rock cycle in some way. That means that all those that use and benefit from such projects, are also direct beneficiaries.

Energy

Because the rock cycle is relatively predictable, it also provides insights into potential locations of the energy sources that we find in the Earth’s surface. Everything from fossil fuels to radioactive elements used in nuclear energy, are aided by an understanding of the rock cycle.

Precious Stones & Currency

Some of the most valuable things that we know of are the products of the rock cycle. Gold, diamonds, rubies, and all kinds of other precious elements, are not only things of beauty, but their rare natures make them valuable as currency and investments. The value of gold once backed our entire financial system!

Although most rocks don’t hold inherent value on their own, their collective worth, and the process that created them, is incalculable. Our houses, businesses, cities, and even our lives, are dependent on the rock cycle. At RiverBend Materials, we never take this for granted. We take great pride in our part of this process. We get to enrich the world around us by using natural materials in a thoughtful and sustainable way. If you have questions as to how we can use these great products in your next project, give us a call! We’ll show you what the rock cycle can build.