Friday, 14 November 2025
TO DESCRIBE AND CLASSIFY
DO NOW METAMORPHIC ROCKS AND
COMPLETE IN SILENCE THEIR FORMATION
1. Metamorphic rocks form from
Cooling lava Heat and pressure on existing rocks
2. Which of the following is a metamorphic rock??
Granite Marble
3. Which layer in Earth structure is thinest?
Crust Mantle Core
Limestone
4. Which rock can turn into marble?
5. Metamorphic rocks do NOT form by? Melting
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Level 3-4 Level 4-6 Level 6+
Define Compare
metamorphic Identify common
metamorphic rock
rocks and explain metamorphic rocks and formation to
how heat and describe their textures igneous and
pressure and features sedimentary
transform existing processes
rocks
Connecting to real world
Think- Look at the images of different metamorphic rocks. Students
individually observe the rocks and answer questions like:
• What are the key characteristics of metamorphic rocks?
• How are they classified?
• Explain difference between foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks?
• How are they formed?
Metamorphic rocks are one of the three main types of rocks found on Earth, alongside
igneous and sedimentary rocks. They are formed from pre-existing rocks (either
igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks) that have been transformed
by intense heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids.
[Link]
Metamorphic rocks can be classified based on several criteria:
1. Protolith (Parent Rock):
Metasedimentary: Formed from sedimentary rocks (e.g., marble from limestone, quartzite from
sandstone).
Metaigneous: Formed from igneous rocks (e.g., amphibolite from basalt, gneiss from granite).
2. Texture:
Foliated: Characterized by a layered or banded appearance due to the alignment of mineral grains.
Examples include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Non-foliated: Lack a layered or banded texture and are typically composed of a single, dominant
mineral. Examples include marble, quartzite, and hornfels.
3. Metamorphic Grade:
Low-grade: Formed under relatively low temperatures and pressures.
High-grade: Formed under high temperatures and pressures.
You do: All start from Determination Rock Type Formation
Process
Metamorphic Rocks | Pictures
Igneous
of Foliated and Non-Foliated
Types
Click on the link use the Sedimentary
information and complete the
1. Define what a metamorphic worksheet from your teacher
Metamorphic
rock is.
2. Describe how heat and
pressure change existing rocks Bravery:
into metamorphic rocks. Scenario: A geologist finds a region where
3. Give one example of an shale has turned into slate and limestone
original rock and the has turned into marble.
metamorphic rock it becomes There are also signs of folded and faulted
Draw a cross-section
(e.g. shale → slate). rocks in the area.
diagram of
4. Draw a labelled diagram Your Task: metamorphic layers
showing the transformation of a ■What conditions must have existed to showing fossils
sedimentary or igneous rock cause these metamorphic changes? embedded in different
into a metamorphic rock. ■How do folded and faulted rocks support layers.
the idea of mountain formation or tectonic
activity?
Determination- Gritty:
Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing Rock Name Texture/Appearance Original Rock
rocks are changed by heat and pressure, Slate Fine-grained, flat sheets Shale
usually deep within the Earth. Marble Crystalline, smooth, can be Limestone
The minerals in the rock are rearranged, but polished
the rock does not melt. Schist Sparkly layers, coarse- Mudstone or shale
Example: limestone becomes marble when grained
exposed to high pressure and temperature.
Bravery:
Aspiration:
Rock Type Formation Process
Igneous Formed from cooling and
solidification of molten
magma or lava.
Sedimentary Formed from compacted
sediments over time.
Metamorphic Formed when existing rocks
are changed by heat and
pressure.
EXIT TICKET Write in full sentences COMPLETE IN SILENCE
– 1. What causes a metamorphic rock to form? Heat and pressure
– 2. Name two examples of metamorphic rocks. Marble, slate
– 3. How are metamorphic rocks different from igneous rocks? Formed by altered existing rocks,
not from cooling magma.
– 4. Why don’t metamorphic rocks contain fossils?
Fossils are destroyed by heat and
pressure