preview

Metamorphic Rocks

Decent Essays

Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks change in form. The word metamorphic comes from the greek word meaning “change”. Metamorphic rocks are any type of rock that changes over the influence of heat and pressure, but doesn’t melt into magma beforehand. The rock from which a metamorphic rock forms is called a protolith. Everything about the protolith changes when it undergoes heat and pressure. (e.g. the crystal structure, their color, and other properties). Metamorphic rocks form within the Earth's crust. The thicker the layers of rock are, the more pressure there is. The rock gets heated up just enough to squeeze it but not enough to melt it. There are two kinds of metamorphic rocks: foliated and non-foliated. Foliated means

Get Access