Me t a m o r p h i c
Rocks
What is Metamorphism?
Metamorphis
m
the alteration of a
pre-existing igneous,
sedimentary, or
metamorphic rocks (called
the parent rock) or the
“protolith”.
When rocks are baked by heat of molten magma or
squeezed by the movements of huge tectonic plates
They are altered or changed beyond their recognition.
i.e. : change in chemical in Chemical composition ,
texture and structure
METAMORPHIC
The word "metamorphic"
comes from the greek
and means "To Change
Form"
HEAT &
PRESSURE
• Metamorphic rocks form
Heat and Pressure
changing the original or
parent rock into a
completely new rock.
• The parent rock can be
either sedimentary, igneous,
or even another
metamorphic rock.
HEAT - temperature increases can be caused by layers of
sediments being buried deeper and deeper under the
surface of the Earth.
PRESSURE - There are 3 Factors that cause an increase
in pressure which also causes the formation of
metamorphic rocks. These factors are: The huge weight of
overlying layers of sediments, stresses caused by plates
colliding in the process of mountain building and stresses
caused by plates sliding past each other.
There are 2 main ways that
metamorphic rocks can form
These are: Contact and Regional
metamorphism
CONTACT METAMORPHISM
Contact metamorphism occurs
when magma touches an
existing rock body, raising
its temperature and
introducing fluids from the
magma, which alters the
rock's mineral composition.
REGIONAL METAMORPHISM
Regional metamorphism
affects a larger area than
contact metamorphism,
typically producing rocks like
gneiss and schist. It is driven
by large geological processes,
such as mountain-building.
MOUNTAIN RANGES
Metamorphic rocks are
usually harder than
sedimentary rocks and can
be as hard or harder than
igneous rocks.
Metamorphic rocks can be classified into two
main types:
Metamorphic rocks can be classified into two
main types:
[Link] Metamorphic Rocks: These have a layered or
banded appearance due to the alignment of minerals.
Common examples include schist, gneiss, and slate.
[Link]-Foliated Metamorphic Rocks: These do not have
a distinct layered structure. They are typically composed
of a single mineral or a mix of minerals that do not align.
Examples include marble and quartzite.
Shale to Slate - Shale transforms into slate through a process
where silt and clay are deposited, lithifying into shale under
pressure. As layers are buried deeper by further deposition,
increasing temperature and pressure cause metamorphism,
resulting in slate, a fine-grained rock known for its perfect
cleavage that allows it to split into thin sheets.
Slate to Schist - Schist is a medium-grade metamorphic rock
formed from slate, which is a low-grade metamorphic rock.
Schist has been subjected to higher heat and pressure than
slate during its metamorphic process.
The mineral composition of metamorphic rocks varies widely
depending on the parent rock and the conditions of
metamorphism. Common minerals include:
• Quartz: Often found in non-foliated rocks like quartzite.
• Feldspar: Present in many foliated rocks, such as gneiss.
• Mica: Biotite and muscovite are common in schist,
contributing to its foliation.
• Calcite: Predominant in marble, derived from limestone.
• Amphibole: Found in metamorphic rocks like schist and
gneiss.
The specific minerals present can indicate the metamorphic
environment and conditions, such as temperature and pressure.
Remember that
Metamorphic rocks:
• Characteristics: Metamorphic rocks are generally harder than
sedimentary rocks and can be as hard as igneous rocks. They
often display unique textures and mineral assemblages
resulting from their formation conditions.
• Importance: These rocks provide insights into geological
processes and the history of the Earth, and they are commonly
found in mountain ranges, forming the roots of these structures
after erosion exposes them.
Overall, metamorphic rocks play a crucial role in
understanding Earth's geology and the processes that
shape its landscape.
Let's Have a
Recap
QUESTION
1:
The word "metamorphic"
comes from the greek
and means what?
ANSWE
R:
"To Change Form"
QUESTION
2:
What are the 2 main
ways that metamorphic
rocks can form?
ANSWE
R:
"Contact and Regional
metamorphism"
QUESTION
3:
Metamorphic rocks are
usually harder than?
ANSWE
R:
"Sedimentary Rock"
QUESTION
4: are the two main
What
types that metamorphic
rocks can be classified
ANSWE
R:
"Foliated and Non-
Foliated"
A N K Y O U
TH
F O R
ST E N IN G !
LI