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Understanding Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks originate from other rock types and undergo transformation due to high heat, pressure, or mineral-rich fluids. The process of metamorphism alters the rocks without melting them, creating new minerals and denser structures. Common examples include foliated rocks like Gneiss and Schist, and non-foliated rocks like Quartzite and Marble.

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5 views26 pages

Understanding Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks originate from other rock types and undergo transformation due to high heat, pressure, or mineral-rich fluids. The process of metamorphism alters the rocks without melting them, creating new minerals and denser structures. Common examples include foliated rocks like Gneiss and Schist, and non-foliated rocks like Quartzite and Marble.

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nimi52865
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METAMORPHIC ROCKS

• Metamorphic rocks started out as some other type of

rock, but have been substantially changed from their

original igneous , sedimentary or earlier

metamorphic form.

• Metamorphic rocks form when rocks are subjected to

high heat, high pressure, hot mineral-rich fluids or,

more commonly, some combination of these factors.

• Conditions like these are found deep within the Earth

or where tectonic plates meet.


Process of Metamorphism:

• The process of metamorphism does not melt the rocks, but instead

transforms them into denser, more compact rocks.

• New minerals are created either by rearrangement of mineral components

or by reactions with fluids that enter the rocks.

• Pressure or temperature can even change previously metamorphosed

rocks into new types.


Common Metamorphic Rocks:
Common metamorphic rocks include PHYLLITE, SCHIST, GNEISS, QUARTZITE and MARBLE.

1. Foliated Metamorphic Rocks:

• Some kinds of metamorphic rocks -- are strongly banded or foliated. (Foliated means

the parallel arrangement of certain mineral grains that gives the rock a striped

appearance.)

• Foliation forms when pressure squeezes the flat or elongate minerals within a rock so

they become aligned.

• These rocks develop a platy or sheet-like structure that reflects the direction that

pressure was applied.

• Granite Gneiss and Biotite Schist are two examples


2. Non-Foliated Metamorphic Rocks:

• Non-foliated metamorphic rocks do not have a platy or sheet-like structure.

• There are several ways that non-foliated rocks can be produced. Some rocks,

such as limestone are made of minerals that are not flat or elongate. No

matter how much pressure you apply, the grains will not align.

• E.g: Quartzite , Marble, Hornfels


IMPORTANT METAMORPHIC ROCKS
1. GNEISS
IMPORTANT METAMORPHIC ROCKS
2. SCHIST

• Schist is a medium-grade metamorphic rock formed from mudstone or shale.

• Schist has medium to large, flat, sheet-like grains in a preferred orientation

• It is characteristically foliated, meaning that the individual mineral grains split off

easily into flakes or slabs


IMPORTANT METAMORPHIC ROCKS
3. SLATE
IMPORTANT METAMORPHIC ROCKS

4. QUARTZITE
IMPORTANT METAMORPHIC ROCKS

5. MARBLE

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