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Nov 23, 2025

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Metamorphic Rocks and Rock Classification - Geology Notes Lesson 8

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Mariah

@mariah_stangl

Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks undergo transformation due to... Show more

11-7-22: Lesson 8 Notes
→ Metamorphic Rock -
→Protolith →→ →→→ Metamorphic Rock (Turned using pressure, temperature, and
fluids) NO MELT
→ P

Metamorphic Rock Formation

Ever wonder how rocks change without melting? That's metamorphism! A protolith (original rock) transforms into a metamorphic rock through pressure, temperature, and fluids - with no melting involved.

Pressure increases with depth due to the weight of overlying rocks (up to 300 MPA). Similarly, temperature rises with depth from geothermal heat. Fluids come from water trapped in cracks or contained within minerals. When a protolith experiences some partial melting, it becomes a migmatite.

During metamorphism, rocks undergo several changes. Compaction eliminates air spaces, creating denser rock. Recrystallization rearranges elements to form more stable minerals. Minerals develop a preferred orientation as they realign during compaction. Metasomatic processes involve water and heat bringing additional elements.

Remember This! Metamorphic rocks form in two main settings: regional metamorphism (affecting large areas at convergent plate boundaries) and contact metamorphism (where magma heats adjacent rock).

11-7-22: Lesson 8 Notes
→ Metamorphic Rock -
→Protolith →→ →→→ Metamorphic Rock (Turned using pressure, temperature, and
fluids) NO MELT
→ P

Metamorphic Rock Classification

Metamorphic rocks come in two main types: foliated and non-foliated. You'll ace identifying them once you know the differences!

Foliated rocks show preferred orientation of minerals. They follow a progression based on increasing pressure and temperature: shale (a sedimentary rock) transforms to slate finegrained,breaksintosheetsfine-grained, breaks into sheets, then phyllite finegrainedwithacrinklytexturefine-grained with a crinkly texture, then schist finetocoarsegrained,shinyfrommicasfine to coarse-grained, shiny from micas, and finally gneiss coarsegrainedwithdistinctivelightanddarkbandscoarse-grained with distinctive light and dark bands.

Non-foliated rocks don't show this alignment. Quartz sandstone becomes quartzite (hard enough to scratch glass), while limestone transforms into marble (fizzes in acid due to calcite content). These transformations often occur at convergent boundaries where oceanic lithosphere meets continental lithosphere.

Pro Tip: When identifying metamorphic rocks, look for foliation patterns first, then check specific properties like grain size and mineral composition to determine exactly which type you have.



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David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

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Greenlight Bonnie

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Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀

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This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

iOS user

Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades

Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀

Marco B

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

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Environmental Science

22

Nov 23, 2025

2 pages

Metamorphic Rocks and Rock Classification - Geology Notes Lesson 8

user profile picture

Mariah

@mariah_stangl

Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks undergo transformation due to pressure, temperature, and fluids - without actually melting. Understanding these processes helps us identify how Earth reshapes its materials over time, creating distinct rock types with unique properties.

11-7-22: Lesson 8 Notes
→ Metamorphic Rock -
→Protolith →→ →→→ Metamorphic Rock (Turned using pressure, temperature, and
fluids) NO MELT
→ P

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Metamorphic Rock Formation

Ever wonder how rocks change without melting? That's metamorphism! A protolith (original rock) transforms into a metamorphic rock through pressure, temperature, and fluids - with no melting involved.

Pressure increases with depth due to the weight of overlying rocks (up to 300 MPA). Similarly, temperature rises with depth from geothermal heat. Fluids come from water trapped in cracks or contained within minerals. When a protolith experiences some partial melting, it becomes a migmatite.

During metamorphism, rocks undergo several changes. Compaction eliminates air spaces, creating denser rock. Recrystallization rearranges elements to form more stable minerals. Minerals develop a preferred orientation as they realign during compaction. Metasomatic processes involve water and heat bringing additional elements.

Remember This! Metamorphic rocks form in two main settings: regional metamorphism (affecting large areas at convergent plate boundaries) and contact metamorphism (where magma heats adjacent rock).

11-7-22: Lesson 8 Notes
→ Metamorphic Rock -
→Protolith →→ →→→ Metamorphic Rock (Turned using pressure, temperature, and
fluids) NO MELT
→ P

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Metamorphic Rock Classification

Metamorphic rocks come in two main types: foliated and non-foliated. You'll ace identifying them once you know the differences!

Foliated rocks show preferred orientation of minerals. They follow a progression based on increasing pressure and temperature: shale (a sedimentary rock) transforms to slate finegrained,breaksintosheetsfine-grained, breaks into sheets, then phyllite finegrainedwithacrinklytexturefine-grained with a crinkly texture, then schist finetocoarsegrained,shinyfrommicasfine to coarse-grained, shiny from micas, and finally gneiss coarsegrainedwithdistinctivelightanddarkbandscoarse-grained with distinctive light and dark bands.

Non-foliated rocks don't show this alignment. Quartz sandstone becomes quartzite (hard enough to scratch glass), while limestone transforms into marble (fizzes in acid due to calcite content). These transformations often occur at convergent boundaries where oceanic lithosphere meets continental lithosphere.

Pro Tip: When identifying metamorphic rocks, look for foliation patterns first, then check specific properties like grain size and mineral composition to determine exactly which type you have.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

iOS user

Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades

Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀

Marco B

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

iOS user

Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades

Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀

Marco B

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user