What are the main types of rocks found on Earth, and how do igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks form through processes such as cooling and solidification of magma, erosion and deposition of sediments, and heat and pressure-induced recrystallization of existing rocks over geological time scales?

Rocks on Earth are classified into three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, either beneath the Earth’s surface (intrusive) or on the surface (extrusive). Sedimentary rocks form through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediments derived from weathering and erosion of pre-existing rocks. Metamorphic rocks form from the alteration of existing rocks under conditions of high heat and pressure, without melting, leading to recrystallization and the development of new mineral assemblages.