8.4 science flash cards
What are Metamorphic rocks?
Rocks that form when temperature and/or pressure alter existing rock.
How do Metamorphic rocks form?
Metamorphic rocks form when rocks are in high heat, high pressure.
Where do Metamorphic tocks form?
they form deep within the Earth or where tectonic plates meet, due to the temperature and high pressure that surrounds.
Why do scientists believe that most of the earth’s crust is made of metamorphic rocks?
because there are very few/little amount of metamorphic rocks that are found on the surface of the earth, they are all usually found under the earth’s surface.
What are tectonic plates?
Tectonic plates are massive plates that make up the earth’s crust.
What happens when tectonic plates move?
they collide/spread apart allowing the hot molten lava to escape from the mantle. When collisions occur they produce mountains, trenches, and volcanoes
What is regional metamorphism?
A type of metamorphism where rock is altered by both heat and pressure over a wide area.
What is the definition of altered?
“change in character or composition”
What is contact metamorphism?
a type of metamorphism where rock is mainly altered by heat.
What is dynamic metamorphism?
a type of metamorphism where rock is mainly altered by pressure.
What is recrystallization?
when a rock reforms into a crystal(s)
Why do metamorphic rocks have more crystals compared to igneous rocks?
This is because metamorphic rocks form under the earth’s surface, having much more time to cool down and produce crystals while igneous rocks form and cool on the earth’s surface, having less time to cool and produce minerals/crystals.
What is foliation?
a process where minerals under pressure realign and the rock develops layers of bands.
Where can Quartzite be used?
it is mainly used to make walls
what is the rock cycle?
a model geologists use to explain the endless cycle of change that rocks undergo.
