Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have undergone transformation due to extreme heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids. They originate from pre-existing igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Metamorphic rocks are classified into foliated and non-foliated types based on their texture.
Common examples of metamorphic rocks include schist, gneiss, marble, and slate.
The process of metamorphism does not melt the rock but changes its mineralogical composition.
Metamorphic rocks are often found in continental collision zones where tectonic plates converge.
They play a crucial role in understanding the geological history and structure of Earth's crust.
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Related terms
Igneous Rocks: Rocks formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Sedimentary Rocks: Rocks formed by the accumulation and compression of mineral and organic particles over time.
Foliation: The repetitive layering in metamorphic rocks due to pressure causing minerals to realign.