Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rock Samples
Metamorphic Rocks are rocks that that have been change through heat and pressure. These rocks are altered when heat and pressure partially remelt the crystals in the rock. There are two families of metamorphic rocks foliated and non-foliated.
Foliated Metamorphic Rocks have weird shine and elongated crystals in the rock matrix. They also have banded appearance, in that they have "flake layers." These fake layers look like real layers as in compacted sedimentary rock but they are only on the surface of the rock. Often these fake layers do not travel around the rock itself like sedimentary compacted layers do.
Foliated Metamorphic Rock Showing Banding Effect
Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rocks are metamorphic rocks which have a weird shine but no banding. They have elongated crystals in their rock matrix.
Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rock Showing Elongated Crystals
Metamorphic Rock Conversion Samples:
Granite to Gneiss Limestone to Marble