Name: ________________________________
METAMORPHIC ROCK LAB
Web Resources:
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00461/meta.htm
Hypothesis
What methods can we use to identify metamorphic rocks?
Background
Fill in the blanks below using any available resource.
__________________ - rocks that have been changed from an existing type of rock into a new type; most
are formed deep beneath the earth’s surface
__________________ - a type of metamorphic rock texture having mineral crystals arranged in parallel
layers, or bands
__________________ - a type of metamorphic rock texture that does not have bands of crystals and does
break into layers
Materials
6 metamorphic rocks
Hand lens
Procedure
1. Examine each of the rocks.
2. Record their properties.
3. Use the tables below to identify and name each rock.
Data
Metamorphic Rock Observations
Rock #
Texture:
 Coarse
 Medium
 Fine
Bands and layers or
No Layers?
Foliated
or
Non-foliated?
Rock Name
1
2
3
4
5
6
FOLIATED (banded) ROCK CLASSIFICATION
Rock
Name
SLATE
Fine grained, minerals not
visible with the naked eye
or with a hand lens, rock
Rock
Description shows slaty cleavage, is
usually dark-colored. A
product of low-grade
metamorphism of shale or
mudstone.
SCHIST
GNEISS
Rock is medium to coarse grained with
visible grains of mica or other
metamorphic minerals. Often shiny due
to reflection of mica on foliation
planes. Product of intermediate grade
metamorphism of shale, slate, phyllite,
basalt or granite.
Rock is coarse grained
and usually banded with
alternating layers of light
and dark minerals.
Foliation bands may be
folded. Product of highgrade metamorphism of
shale, schist, granite or
many other rock types.
NONFOLIATED (not banded) ROCK CLASSIFICATION
MARBLE
Mineral(s)
Description
QUARTZITE
ANTHRACITE COAL
calcite
quartz
crystalline carbon
Coarse-grained
recrystalized limestone or
dolomite. May have dark
bands due to organic
impurities.
Medium quartz grains, thus is
massive and hard.
Hard, black shiny coal;
product of low-grade
metamorphism of
bituminous coal.
Intermediate to high-grade
metamorphism.
Conclusions
Answer the following questions with sentences.
1. What does the word metamorphic mean?
2. Explain how slate (metamorphic rock) is formed from shale (sedimentary rock).
3. How can you tell if a rock is foliated?
Complete the table below with the names of the rocks you identified in this lab.
Question
4. Which rocks are foliated?
5. Which rocks are non-foliated?
6. Which rock has gemstones?
7. Which rock(s) was organic at one time?
8. Which rock(s) is a common building material?
Name of Rock(s)