Name:___________________________________ Date:____________ Period:______
Lab - Metamorphic Rocks
Introduction:
The word “metamorphic” comes from the Greek words meaning to change form
(meta = change, morph = form). Metamorphic rocks are those that have formed from other
rocks as a result of the action of heat and pressure. Generally, metamorphic rocks are
divided into two groups, regional metamorphic rocks and contact metamorphic rocks.
Regional metamorphic rock is formed by forces acting over wide areas under extreme
conditions of temperature and pressure at great depths.
Contact metamorphic rocks are formed at the interface of hot magma and existing
rocks. The surrounding rock is changed, or metamorphosed, as a result of being in contact
with the hot magma.
Metamorphic rocks can be foliated or nonfoliated, basically meaning they can be
layered or not.
Objective: You will investigate the properties by which different types of metamorphic
rocks can be identified.
Vocabulary:
Recrystallization –
Foliation –
Contact metamorphism –
Regional metamorphism –
Banding –
Procedure:
1. Determine if the rock is foliated or nonfoliated.
2. Use the ESRT to help you determine the probable parent rock and the rock name.
3. Once you know the name, you can use the ESRT to determine if it formed with
regional or contact metamorphism.
Data:
Sample Foliated or
#
Nonfoliated
Type of Metamorphism
(Contact/Regional)
Probable Parent
Rock
Rock Name
1
2
3
4
5
6
Analysis Questions:
1. Why wouldn’t you find fossils in metamorphic rocks?
2. Why do minerals in metamorphic rocks often rearrange in layers?
3. Why is quartzite very hard and more resistant than its parent rock?
4. What mineral is in schist that makes it so sparkly?
5. What minerals are in the rock phyllite?
6. Metamorphic rocks are not as common as sedimentary rocks or igneous rocks on the
surface. Explain where they would be found and WHY!?
7. How would you differentiate between white marble and white quartzite?
8. Why are metamorphic rocks formed by contact metamorphism usually not dense as
those formed by regional metamorphism?
9. Match the 2 columns
_____1. preexisting rock
_____2. contact metamorphism
_____3. pressure
_____4. foliation
_____5. cataclastic
_____6. marble
_____7. burial metamorphism
_____8. regional metamorphism
_____9. gneiss
_____10. schist
A. Metamorphism caused along a fault
B. country rock
C. a metamorphic rock composed largely of calcite
D. the alignment of minerals in a metamorphic rock
E. a metamorphic rock containing lots of mica
F. metamorphism caused by the weight of overlaying
rock
G. a metamorphic rock showing mineral banding
H. metamorphism caused by high temperature
I. moderate temperature and pressure over a large
area
J. one of the main causes of metamorphism
Conclusion:
• Explain the changes between the following sequences of rocks:
Shale
Slate
Phyllite
Schist
Gneiss
• Which was your favorite metamorphic rock and why?