How can a rock cycle connect processes on land and underground?

Make two labeled zones: AT THE SURFACE and UNDERGROUND. Place materials and processes in those zones, then connect them with arrows. This helps show that the cycle connects different places and that a rock can enter the map at different points.

Start with this layout:

AT THE SURFACE                         UNDERGROUND
Exposed rock                           Buried sediment
   | weathering and erosion                 | more burial
   v                                         v
Sediment --river transport--> deposition  Sedimentary rock
                                                  | deeper burial,
                                                  | heat and pressure
                                                  v
                                           Metamorphic rock
                                                  | still deeper burial;
                                                  | may melt
                                                  v
                                           Igneous rock

Add an arrow from the underground zone back toward the surface, labeled uplift. Then show how erosion can restart the surface sequence. This is a possible pathway, not a required route for every rock. The USGS describes transport and deposition of weathered material, changes with further burial, and uplift and erosion restarting the sequence at different points. [S1]

Label each arrow with the process and, when helpful, the zone. For example, write weathering and erosion (surface) from exposed rock to sediment, and burial (underground) after deposition. Keep labels brief so the map remains readable.

[AT THE SURFACE]
Exposed rock --weathering and erosion--> sediment
Sediment --river transport--> deposited sediment
                                      |
                                      | burial
                                      v
[UNDERGROUND]
Sedimentary rock --deeper burial, heat and pressure--> metamorphic rock
Metamorphic rock --still deeper burial; may melt--> igneous rock

[UNDERGROUND] --uplift--> [AT THE SURFACE]

The source supports these broad connections, including possible melting after still deeper burial and uplift as a way back toward surface processes. [S1] The map does not establish the exact depth or timing for a particular rock, so leave those details out unless you have evidence for your example.

No. Use connected arrows without making one compulsory loop. The USGS account says paths can be interrupted or repeated, and that uplift and erosion can restart the sequence at different points. [S1] Let the map show alternate routes and starting points.

For example, add a return arrow labeled uplift exposes rock; erosion can restart surface processes. You could also add a note: “A rock already at the surface can weather and erode.” Avoid implying that every rock passes through every box or completes the whole cycle in the same order.

Trace more than one route through the map. Can you follow surface material toward burial? Can you follow an underground rock back toward the surface? Can you see that a route may stop, repeat, or begin at a different point?

Also check that each arrow has a readable process label. For example, show deposition where transported sediment settles, burial after deposition, and uplift on the route toward the surface. If those connections are clear, your map links land and underground processes without presenting the cycle as a fixed loop. It shows broad possible connections, not the history of a specific rock. [S1]