“Something about you has changed.” Metamorphic Rock “Something about you has changed.”

Metamorphic means: “Changed” A Metamorphic rock starts out as either Igneous rock, Sedimentary rock, or another Metamorphic rock. But because of great heat and pressure, it is changed into another type of rock.

Heat and pressure do the work When rock is trapped under a lot of other rock it is under pressure. The closer the rock gets to the Earth’s center, the hotter it gets.

This is what it looks like when rock gets smashed and heated.

This is what it looks like when Granite (an Igneous rock) is turned into a metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rock being created.

The main types of metamorphic rocks you need to know are…. Gneiss

Schist

Marble

Just so you don’t forget… A Metamorphic rock is created by extreme pressure and heat deep under the Earth’s surface. Metamorphic rocks start out as one kind of rock, and CHANGE into another type. Metamorphic rocks often contain crystals. Metamorphic rocks often have layers.