answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Rock metamorphosis, or metamorphism, is the change in the crystalline components, chemical composition, or structure of rocks from exposure to intense pressure, heat, or exchange of ions through heated solutions. Metamorphosis of rock usually occurs deep below the Earth's surface, but could also occur from meteor impact, or close contact with a magmatic intrusion.

Metamorphism occurs in rock without melting. Mineral components can recrystallize, form new minerals, and become aligned directionally in physical appearance. Through metamorphosis, one type of rock becomes another type of rock. Sandstone can become quartzite, limestone can become marble, shale can become slate, and so on.

High pressures and temperatures can cause hydrous minerals to change to non-hydrous minerals like garnet. Rounded mineral crystals can become flattened, and minerals that grow in the stressed rock can display a preferred orientation that is perpendicular to the direction of the stress and display a characteristic known as foliation, with distinct banding or platyness. In rocks such as quartzite and limestone, where the minerals are relatively stable along a broad range of temperatures and pressures, the mineral crystals simply become larger. In cases where the metamorphism occurs because of proximity to hydrothermal fluids, a chemical exchange will take place, changing the original composition of the host rock.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Metamorphic rocks are formed from a protolith, or parent rock, which can be of any rock type (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic). The parent rock is exposed to varying degrees of pressure and/or heat either from depth of burial, exposure to a plutonic body of intense heat, or from pressures resulting from the collision of tectonic plates. The heat and/or pressure can transform the minerals inside the parent rock to new minerals, cause recrystallization of existing minerals, or reorganize the existing minerals into bands and layers. All of these processes take place without any melting of the parent rock.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

Rocks being under tons of heat and pressure leads to the formation of metamorphic rock.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Heating, pressurization, deformation, recrystallization, and metamorphism.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

heat and pressure

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How is one pathway that could lead to the formation of metamorphic rock?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Which phenomenon leads to the formation of metamorphic rocks?

Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks undergo intense heat, pressure, or chemical changes within the Earth's crust. These changes cause the minerals in the rocks to reorganize and form new structures, resulting in the creation of metamorphic rocks.


What is the origin of lead ore?

the origin of lead ore is contact metamorphic origin


What signals the end of metamorphism?

Metamorphism typically ends when the external conditions (temperature, pressure, and chemical environment) that drive the process change. This change can lead to either the formation of new minerals or the cessation of metamorphic reactions, indicating the end of metamorphism. Metamorphism can also end when the rocks are uplifted to shallower depths in the Earth's crust, where conditions no longer support metamorphic processes.


Where is energy source found that drives the processes that form igneous and metamorphic rocks?

The energy source that drives the processes forming igneous and metamorphic rocks is primarily found within the Earth's interior. It originates from heat generated by radioactive decay in the mantle and core, which drives convection currents that bring hot molten material to the surface and causes interactions that lead to rock formation.


What three factors can create metamorphic rocks?

there are not three factors. Metamophic rocks are formed by heat and pressure. the heat sort of melts it slowly while the pressure compacts it. For an animation of the formation go to http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0607/es0607page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization :)

Related questions

One pathway that could lead to the formation of metamorphic rock.?

the anse to the hopitid cola depositon colsa


Which phenomenon leads to the formation of metamorphic rocks?

Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks undergo intense heat, pressure, or chemical changes within the Earth's crust. These changes cause the minerals in the rocks to reorganize and form new structures, resulting in the creation of metamorphic rocks.


Will the erosion on a mountain range that was pushed up as a result of two continental plates colliding lead to the formation of igneous rock metamorphic rock sedimentary rock or magma?

The erosion of a mountain range would primarily lead to the formation of sedimentary rocks. These rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediments that erode from the mountains and are deposited in layers over time. Magma could also be formed if the eroded sediments are subjected to high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth, leading to the formation of igneous rocks. Metamorphic rocks could form from existing rocks within the mountain range that undergo changes due to heat and pressure during the mountain-building process.


What is the origin of lead ore?

the origin of lead ore is contact metamorphic origin


Which process could lead directly to the formation of pumice rock?

The rapid cooling and solidification of frothy volcanic lava rich in gas bubbles can lead directly to the formation of pumice rock. This rock is lightweight and porous due to the trapped gas bubbles.


How many major mineral formation systems are there?

There are seven major mineral formation systems, which are igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, hydrothermal, weathering, soil, and biological. Each system involves specific processes that lead to the creation of different types of minerals.


What is the difference between the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways?

The intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation is initiated within the bloodstream by damage to the blood vessel, while the extrinsic pathway is initiated outside the bloodstream by tissue factor released from damaged tissues. Both pathways ultimately converge to activate factor X and lead to the formation of a blood clot.


What events at a transform boundary will help form metamorphic rocks?

An earthquake. ^^^^^^^^^^^ A earthquake can't do squat. That answer is wrong


What are some relationships between moving continents geothermal energy from within earth and metamorphic rock?

Some relationships between moving continents, geothermal energy from within the earth and metamorphic rock are when the continents move it forces rocks into the hot core which then they absorb the geothermal energy and form the metamorphic rock.


What did Darwin propose by saying that over a long natural selection could lead to?

Darwin proposed that over a long time, natural selection could lead to the gradual change and divergence of species from a common ancestor, resulting in the formation of new species through the process of adaptation to their environment.


What steps lead to forming a metamorphic rock?

Metamorphic rocks form from existing rocks that undergo a change in temperature, pressure, or chemical environment. This process, called metamorphism, causes the minerals in the original rock to recrystallize and align in new ways, resulting in the formation of a metamorphic rock. Heat and pressure are the main driving forces behind this transformation.


What changes metamorphic rock into magma?

Metamorphic rocks can turn into magma through a process called partial melting caused by high temperatures and pressure in the Earth's mantle. As the metamorphic rock is subjected to increased heat and pressure, some minerals within the rock may melt into magma while others remain solid. This process can lead to the formation of igneous rocks from the melted minerals.