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Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks undergoing physical and chemical changes due to heat and pressure within the Earth. Examples include marble, formed from limestone under low pressure, and slate, formed from shale under low temperature and pressure and able to be split into thin sheets. Metamorphic rocks contain layered crystal structures from the effects of heat and pressure and are denser and harder than sedimentary rocks. They form deep within the Earth through regional or contact metamorphism.

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19 views13 pages

Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks undergoing physical and chemical changes due to heat and pressure within the Earth. Examples include marble, formed from limestone under low pressure, and slate, formed from shale under low temperature and pressure and able to be split into thin sheets. Metamorphic rocks contain layered crystal structures from the effects of heat and pressure and are denser and harder than sedimentary rocks. They form deep within the Earth through regional or contact metamorphism.

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Metamorphic Rocks

Examples of metamorphic rock

marble slate
What is marble?
Marble is …

...a hard smooth rock made from sedimentary limestone


or chalk in conditions of strong heat and low pressure.
What is slate?

Slate is …

…a grey rock with fine grains made from sedimentary


shale in conditions of low temperature and low pressure.
Slate can be split into thin sheets.
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks are formed when intense heat and/or pressure changes
existing rocks.
Metamorphic rocks can be formed from igneous, sedimentary or even other
metamorphic rocks.
The intense heat and/or pressure causes physical and chemical changes in the
rocks:
Minerals can become foliated – the crystals get squashed into long thin
shapes or layers.
Compounds can rearrange to form new minerals.
Properties of metamorphic rocks
How are the properties of metamorphic rocks different
from sedimentary rocks?
Metamorphic rocks often have layer structures of crystals
caused by the effect of heat and pressure.
Metamorphic rocks are usually denser and harder than
sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic rocks sometimes show distortions caused
by the movements that led to their formation. This may
give rise to wavy or zig-zag patterns within the rock.

Metamorphic rocks contain regular


layers of crystals that sometimes
have a wavy or zig-zag arrangement.
Formation of metamorphic rocks

 Metamorphic rocks are


formed by the effect of
extreme pressures and
temperatures deep within
the Earth.
 These conditions change
the structure of existing
rocks so that new rocks
are formed.
Which type of metamorphic rock?
Types of Metamorphic
Rocks
Regional
Metamorphism
Occurs over a wide area.
Usually caused by converging
tectonic plates, which push on
each other with very great
pressures.
Layers in existing rock can be
accentuated due to pressure in
one direction, so can be highly
banded.
Contact
Metamorphism
Occurs in localised areas.
Caused by rocks coming into
contact with hot magma.
Often found around intrusive
igneous rock.
Heat causes the rearrangement
of chemicals in the country
rock, and new minerals may be
formed.
Seafloor – Chemical changes in
rocks at mid-ocean ridge, caused by
extreme heat.

Other kinds of Burial – Changes in rock due to


gradual increase in temperature and

metamorphism pressure by burial under new layers


of rock.

Shock (impact) – Changes caused


by rapid increase in pressure, eg:
meteorite strike!
Examples of metamorphic rocks
Increasing heat and pressure

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