Name:
Date:
Hour:
Metamorphic Mania Rock Challenge
Introduction
The word metamorphic comes from meta, meaning “changed,” and morphos, meaning “shape.” Most
metamorphic change is caused by increased PRESSURE that takes place at depths greater than 2 km. In
addition, metamorphic change can occur when TEMPERATURE ranges from 50 °C to 1,000 °C. As
minerals undergo both heat and pressure they may no longer be stable in their new environment. The
original minerals change into minerals that are more stable in the higher temperature and pressure
environment. For instance, calcite, quartz, and hematite will change and combine to form the beautiful
gemstone garnet at temperatures 700 -1,200 °C and at depths of 25-60 km. All rocks types (sedimentary,
igneous, and metamorphic) can undergo metamorphism due to increased heat and pressure. For example
Sedimentary Shale » Slate » Phyllite » Schist » Gneiss! Slate through Gneiss are all metamorphic!
Formation
(origin)
Regional - ____________________________________________________________
Contact - _____________________________________________________________
Texture
Foliated - ______________________________________________________________
Nonfoliated - ___________________________________________________________
Other
Vocab
Parent Rock - __________________________________________________________
Daughter Rock - _______________________________________________________
Purpose
1. To hypothesize which parent rocks belong to their metamorphic daughter rocks.
2. To understand the difference between foliated and nonfoliated and contact and regional
metamorphism.
Materials
Metamorphic notes
Metamorphic rock kit
Parent kits
Procedure
1.
Observe (color etc.) each metamorphic rock and each parent rock and hypothesize which parent rock
matches with each metamorphic rock. Enter your hypothesis into the data table.
2.
Observe each metamorphic rock and look for signs of foliation (layering patterns). Enter foliated or
nonfoliated for each specimen in the data table.
3. Hypothesize which rocks are regional or contact metamorphism and enter your hypothesis into the
data table.
4. Get a teacher check and answer all conclusion questions
Name:
Date:
Hour:
NAME ______________________________________ DATE ________________ HOUR ________
CONCLUSION QUESTION (Use Textbook 95-99 and introduction)
1.
At what depths does pressure begin to change rocks into metamorphic rocks? ________________
2. What temperature ranges can cause rocks to undergo metamorphic change? __________________
3. Describe regional metamorphism. (CS) _______________________________________________
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4. Describe contact metamorphism. (CS) _______________________________________________
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5. Which minerals undergo metamorphism and change into the birthstone garnet? _______________
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6. What is the difference between foliation and nonfoliation? (CS) ___________________________
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7. Brainstorm how we can model metamorphic change due to heat and pressure by using food or
candy. (CS) ____________________________________________________________________
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