Metamorphism
Metamorphism
Department of Education
REGION I
PANGASINAN SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE II
MANGALDAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
MANGALDAN, PANGASINAN
EARTH SCIENCE
Metamorphism
GENERAL DIRECTIONS:
1. Read carefully and follow the procedures for each activity and perform them with utmost caution.
2. If you need guidance on what to do and clarification of vague concepts, consult your teacher or ask for adult
supervision.
3. Answer all guide questions if there’s any.
4. Document your progress using a camera and organize them creatively for final presentation.
I. Objective:
At the end of the activity, you should be able to describe the changes in mineral components and texture of
rocks due to changes in pressure and temperature (metamorphism)
II. DISCUSSION:
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have undergone metamorphism, or change. It will form when rocks
are subjected to intense temperature and pressure or chemically active fluids. Rocks subjected to these
conditions will undergo physical and chemical change which results in the formation of new metamorphic
rocks which are commonly formed underneath the earth through metamorphism.
There are different types of metamorphism like burial, contact and regional. Burial metamorphism exists
when surface rocks are buried beneath layers of sediments or lavas where it sinks deeper in the earth’s crust.
These rocks are subjected to high pressure and temperature which causes their minerals to change
chemically that leads to the formation of metamorphic rocks. Contact metamorphism is a type of
metamorphism which is a consequence of an increase in temperature usually because of a heat source such
as an intrusive magma body or a lava flow. There are two types of contact metamorphism – thermal and
hydrothermal. Thermal metamorphism occurs when rocks get in contact with a heat source like magma.
Hydrothermal metamorphism occurs when rocks come in contact with hot chemically reactive fluids and
then crystallizes. This also occurs in the presence of water at high temperature and pressure, which affect
the resulting mineralogy and rate of reaction. Regional metamorphism occurs when there is high
temperature and pressure that may extend over large areas. Regional metamorphism results in intense
alteration of the mineralogy and texture of rocks, usually to the point where original sedimentary structures
are destroyed. Regional metamorphism is primarily due to tectonic forces associated with the interaction
between lithospheric plates. This occurs in areas of active subduction and mountain building. (Source:
https://tinyurl.com/yb9sfeyz)
In metamorphism, when pressure increase, there is also an increase in density. Any minerals that have
a long or flat axis will align themselves to equalize the pressure, a process called foliation. Increase in the
temperature can actually make crystals grow larger. When rocks are heated, there will be an increase in the
energy of atoms which will enable it to vibrate at greater speeds and move across the solid without melting.
They can react with atoms in nearby minerals and create new minerals that are more stable at the new
temperatures and pressures. As a result, mineral grains in the rocks are rearranged and crystals are enlarged.
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The presence of chemically active fluids can bring in new atoms and make those available during the process.
If the new minerals that form are stable under narrow temperatures and pressures, they become valuable
clues to the story of the rock. (Sources: https://www.ccsf.edu/earthrocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7SiZSa5csA)
Metamorphic rocks are classified based on their texture and composition. The textures can be foliated
or non-foliated. In foliated metamorphic rocks, the mineral constituents are oriented in a parallel or sub
parallel arrangement while in a non - foliated metamorphic rocks, it appears massive or grainy, and there is
no visible orientation of mineral grains. There are four kinds of foliated textures in order of increasing
metamorphic grade. These are the following: slaty, phyllitic, schistose and gneissic.
Source:2.bp.blogspot.com/-
K5WWnSwIFd0/VquIU8_PM2I/AAAAAAAAHrY/0Lui_DqxK5A/s1600/The%2Bformation%2Bof%2BFoliated%
2BMetamorphic%2BRock-geology%2Bin.jpg
The picture (above) shows the increase in metamorphic grade of shale (original rock) from slate to gneiss.
The metamorphic grade increases as temperature and pressure increases.
III. ACTIVITY I:
Part A: DEFINITION OF TERMS
Directions: Answer the following questions briefly but substantially. (2 points each)
1. What is metamorphism?
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Part B. MATCHING TYPE
Directions: Match the types of metamorphism with its corresponding description. Write the letter of your answer in the
line provided before each number. (4 points)
A B
________ 1. Regional metamorphism a. It occurs when rocks come in contact with hot chemically reactive fluids
and then crystallizes.
________ 2. Burial metamorphism b. It occurs in a large area that have undergone tectonic plate movement.
________ 3. Hydrothermal metamorphism c. It occurs when rocks are buried and sinks deep in the earth’s crust and
subjected to high pressure and temperature.
________ 4. Thermal metamorphism d. It occurs when rocks get in contact with a heat source like magma.
Part C. IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Below are changes that happens to rocks during metamorphism. Identify whether each description is physical
change or chemical change. Write PC if it describes physical change and CC if it describes chemical change. (5
points)
________ 1. Atoms increase their energy and reacts with other atoms.
Hint:
Contact Metamorphism- the rock minerals and textures are changed, mainly by heat, due to contact with magma. It
creates a foliated metamorphic rock.
Regional Metamorphism- it occurs due to changes in pressure and temperature over a large region of the crust. It may
happen when rock is buried deep below the surface or where pieces of the Earth’s crust collide.
It creates a non-foliated metamorphic rock.
Quartzite
Gneiss
Schist
Slate
Hornfels
Phyllite
Anthracite
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V. Let Us Match the Rocks!
MATCHING TYPE
Directions: Match the type of rock (Column A) with its corresponding pictures (Column B) and descriptions (Column C).
(20 points)
A B C
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VI. Activity 4: True or False
Direction: Read each statement below carefully. Write T before the number if the statement is TRUE. Write F before
the number if the statement is FALSE. Underline the word/s that make/s it incorrect and write the correct
answer after the statement. (20 points)
________ 1. Metamorphism is any change in rock, either physical or chemical, when subjected to temperature, pressures,
or chemically active fluids.
_________2. Sedimentary rock is a product of metamorphism.
_________3. A hydrothermal metamorphism occurs in the presence of water at high temperature and pressure.
_________4. In burial metamorphism, the sedimentary rocks are recrystallized due to pressure and geothermal heat.
_________5. Foliation of rock minerals is a form of physical change.
_________6. Transformation of a mineral into another is a chemical change.
_________7. Schist is a low-grade metamorphism of shale.
_________8. A metamorphic grade is a scale denoting the level of pressure and temperature involved in forming a
particular metamorphic rock.
_________9. A marble is a metamorphism of quartz and sandstone.
_________10. A quartzite is a metamorphism of limestone and dolostone.
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