- Quote: "Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock to new types of rock in a process called metamorphism."
Study of the formation, classification, and mineralogy of rocks that have been altered by heat, pressure, and/or fluids.
Mineralogy: Understanding the different minerals that make up metamorphic rocks.
Rock cycle: Knowing how metamorphic rocks form as part of the rock cycle.
Heat and pressure: Understanding the factors that cause metamorphism.
Types of metamorphism: Knowing about contact, regional, and dynamic metamorphism.
Texture: Learning about the different textures that metamorphic rocks can have.
Foliation: Understanding the process of foliation in metamorphic rocks.
Index minerals: Knowing about minerals that are used to determine the degree of metamorphism.
Metamorphic facies: Learning about the different metamorphic facies and the types of rocks they form.
Metamorphic grade: Understanding the different grades of metamorphism and how they relate to temperature and pressure.
Metamorphic zones: Learning about the zones that different metamorphic rocks form in.
Migmatites: Understanding how partial melting can lead to the formation of migmatites.
Metasomatism: Knowing about the process of metasomatism and how it affects metamorphic rocks.
Non-foliated rocks: Learning about non-foliated metamorphic rocks and how they differ from foliated ones.
Plate tectonics: Understanding how plate tectonics relates to the formation of metamorphic rocks.
Schist: A medium- to coarse-grained metamorphic rock that exhibits strong foliation and consists primarily of mica minerals.
Gneiss: A banded metamorphic rock that is characterized by alternating layers of felsic and mafic minerals.
Marble: A non-foliated metamorphic rock that is composed primarily of calcite or dolomite minerals and is formed from the metamorphism of limestone or dolostone.
Quartzite: A non-foliated metamorphic rock that is composed primarily of quartz minerals and is formed from the metamorphism of sandstone.
Slate: A fine-grained metamorphic rock that exhibits a distinct cleavage and consists primarily of clay minerals.
Amphibolite: A medium- to coarse-grained metamorphic rock that is composed primarily of amphibole minerals and typically exhibits a striped pattern.
Hornfels: A fine-grained metamorphic rock that is formed from the contact metamorphism of sedimentary or volcanic rocks and typically lacks any distinct foliation or banding.
Migmatite: A heterogeneous rock that is formed from the partial melting of preexisting rocks and typically exhibits both igneous and metamorphic properties.
Blueschist: A blue-colored metamorphic rock that is characterized by its high pressure and low temperature conditions of formation, typically found in subduction zones.
Eclogite: A rare and exotic metamorphic rock that is formed under high pressure and high temperature conditions resulting in a unique mineral assemblage.
- Quote: "The original rock (protolith) is subjected to temperatures greater than 150 to 200°C and, often, elevated pressure of 100 megapascals or more."
- Quote: "During this process, the rock remains mostly in the solid state, but gradually recrystallizes to a new texture or mineral composition."
- Quote: "The protolith may be an igneous, sedimentary, or existing metamorphic rock."
- Quote: "Metamorphic rocks make up a large part of the Earth's crust and form 12% of the Earth's land surface."
- Quote: "They are classified by their protolith, their chemical and mineral makeup, and their texture."
- Quote: "They can also form from tectonic processes such as continental collisions, which cause horizontal pressure, friction, and distortion."
- Quote: "Metamorphic rock can be formed locally when rock is heated by the intrusion of hot molten rock called magma from the Earth's interior."
- Quote: "The study of metamorphic rocks provides information about the temperatures and pressures that occur at great depths within the Earth's crust."
- Quote: "Some examples of metamorphic rocks are gneiss, slate, marble, schist, and quartzite."
- Quote: "Slate and quartzite tiles are used in building construction."
- Quote: "Marble is also prized for building construction and as a medium for sculpture."
- Quote: "On the other hand, schist bedrock can pose a challenge for civil engineering because of its pronounced planes of weakness."
- Quote: "They may be formed simply by being deeply buried beneath the Earth's surface, where they are subject to high temperatures and the great pressure of the rock layers above."
- Quote: "The original rock (protolith) is subjected to temperatures greater than 150 to 200°C."
- Quote: "The original rock (protolith) is subjected to elevated pressure of 100 megapascals or more."
- Quote: "During this process, the rock... gradually recrystallizes to a new texture or mineral composition."
- Quote: "They can also form from tectonic processes such as continental collisions, which cause horizontal pressure, friction, and distortion."
- Quote: "Metamorphic rock can be formed locally when rock is heated by the intrusion of hot molten rock called magma from the Earth's interior."
- Quote: "The study of metamorphic rocks (now exposed at the Earth's surface following erosion and uplift) provides information about the temperatures and pressures that occur at great depths within the Earth's crust."