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The minerals which appear are quite similar chemically but not physically. In metamorphic rocks, foliation can be seen-bands of rocks formed by great pressure, whereas in igneous rocks, this is never present because igneous rocks specifically need to have just previously melted, so therefore, these bands are disorganized and lost. Therefore, igneous rocks clearly don't seem to have any patterns unlike metamorphic rocks.

Also, some minerals only form during metamorphism/melting+cooling. Therefore, the chemical composition is usually slightly different. E.g. Garnet is only formed under high-grade metamorphism-high temperatures and pressures.

Also, the crystals sizes in igneous rocks depend on how long the rock has had to cool. So therefore, an igneous rock's crystals could be a lot bigger or smaller than a metamorphic rock's crystals.

But then again, both rocks have interlocking crystals unlike sedimentary rocks, so in that way, at first glance, they can sometimes look very similar, (depending if it is intrusive of extrusive-metamorphic rocks will look a lot more like intrusive igneous rocks because of how the air affects the magma, (how magma looks when it cools), extrusive rocks look different, (blacker, smaller crystals etcetera).

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Is mica sedimentary metamorphic or igneous?

Mica is a common mineral that can be found in both sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It is typically formed through the alteration of other minerals during metamorphism or from the weathering of pre-existing rock in sedimentary environments.


Which two of the three rock types appear to be made primarily of intergrown crystals?

Igneous and metamorphic rocks often appear to be made primarily of intergrown crystals due to the process of cooling and solidification for igneous rocks and recrystallization for metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks are typically composed of compacted and cemented sediment particles rather than intergrown crystals.


Is quartzite foliated or nonfoliated?

Folation is a term that applies to metamorphic rocks. Quartz is a single mineral that does not necessarily occur in metamorphic rocks. It can appear in foliated rocks such as gneiss as well as non foliated rocks such as quartzite.


Is rose quartz a rock or a mineral?

Rose quartz is actually a silicate mineral that may appear in metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks.


What are the visual characteristics that distinguish a metamorphic rock from other types of rocks, and how does a metamorphic rock typically appear in terms of its physical features and textures?

Metamorphic rocks are distinguished by their unique textures and structures, which are formed through intense heat and pressure. These rocks often have distinct layers or bands, known as foliation, and may contain minerals that have been rearranged or recrystallized. In terms of physical features, metamorphic rocks can appear shiny, smooth, and sometimes have a striped or swirled pattern. Their textures can range from fine-grained to coarse-grained, depending on the specific conditions under which they were formed.

Related Questions

Is mica sedimentary metamorphic or igneous?

Mica is a common mineral that can be found in both sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It is typically formed through the alteration of other minerals during metamorphism or from the weathering of pre-existing rock in sedimentary environments.


Which two of the three rock types appear to be made primarily of intergrown crystals?

Igneous and metamorphic rocks often appear to be made primarily of intergrown crystals due to the process of cooling and solidification for igneous rocks and recrystallization for metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks are typically composed of compacted and cemented sediment particles rather than intergrown crystals.


How rocks are the same when they feel and look the same?

Rocks that feel and look the same likely share similar mineral composition and texture. Minerals present in the rock, as well as the way the rock formed (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic), contribute to its appearance and feel. Thus, rocks that appear and feel the same are likely to be composed of similar minerals and have undergone similar geological processes.


Why don't igneous rocks look like magma rocks if igneous rock is formed from magma?

Because that is the very definition of igneous rock.


What diagram shows how rocks change from one type to another?

The rock cycle is the natural process in which rocks transform from one rock type into another rock type over time, a type of natural recycling.Igneous rocks, which are formed from magma cooling underground, or lava above ground are formed from previous igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rocks which have become melted, usually as a result of plate collision and subduction.------->When these igneous rocks are exposed to weathering and erosion, they break down into smaller particles that are transported by wind and water to a place of deposition, where they can form into sedimentary rock strata, through a process of lithification, where excess water is squeezed out by overburden pressures and the particles are cemented together by various minerals precipitating out of solution. Igneous and metamorphic rocks can both be turned into sedimentary rocks in this way.------->Igneous and sedimentary rocks can also be changed by heat and/or pressure into metamorphic rocks, by transforming their existing mineral structures into new minerals or realigning the existing minerals. There are different degrees of metamorphism, so even an existing metamorphic rock can become a different metamorphic rock. -------->If these metamorphic rocks are melted, then solidify, they become igneous rocks, and the cycle starts all over again.The rock cycle is largely driven by lithospheric plate movements which cause subduction and uplift, also by climatic conditions and the associated erosional elements.ignious forms right from the lava, while sedimentary forms from different things even from organic particles and metamorphic format from ignious and sedimentary and changes by the extreme pressure and force between it and other colliding influences, you can tell these rocks apart very easily if you know how they are formed.Lava and Magma are liquified rock and are made from intense heat and pressure and when they are cooled at different factors (temrature/how quickly/pressure).They form different types of rocks and these rocks get weatherd and recycled over large peroids of time.In nature, there are 3 types of rocks: metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary. Metamorphic rocks form when heat and/or pressure are applied to another rock. An igneous rock is a rock that is formed by cooling magma. Finally, a sedimentary rock is formed when other rocks are weathered down by rocks and water and the particles that come off them as a result of this are compacted and cemented together to form a new rock. A mineral can form in two different ways: it can crystallize from cooling magma, or it can crystallize after a solution that it was dissolved in evaporates.


How do rocks that astronauts gathered on the moon compare with rocks and minerals on the earth?

They appear to be igneous in nature with earth common minerals. Because the earth is geologically active and has flowing water, we see all rock types on the surface.


What determines the color of a igneous rock?

The color of an igneous rock is determined by the minerals present in the rock. For example, rocks containing higher amounts of dark-colored minerals like olivine and pyroxene tend to appear darker, while rocks with higher amounts of light-colored minerals like quartz and feldspar appear lighter. Additionally, factors such as the cooling rate and chemical composition of the magma can also influence the final color of the rock.


Can rubies appear in metamorphic rocks?

yes


Is quartzite foliated or nonfoliated?

Folation is a term that applies to metamorphic rocks. Quartz is a single mineral that does not necessarily occur in metamorphic rocks. It can appear in foliated rocks such as gneiss as well as non foliated rocks such as quartzite.


Is rose quartz a rock or a mineral?

Rose quartz is actually a silicate mineral that may appear in metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks.


Is and igneous rock low in silica dark colored or light colored?

Generally, igneous rocks that are low in silica are dark relative to those that are high in silica. This tendency is largely the result of rocks low in silica having increased iron. Iron minerals tend to adsorb significant amounts of the visible spectrum and hence appear dark. I want to emphasize that this is a general tendency and there are exeptions -- obsidian which is very high in silica is typically a dark to black rock and a special igneous rock call carbonatite is very light in color but has little silica.


What are the visual characteristics that distinguish a metamorphic rock from other types of rocks, and how does a metamorphic rock typically appear in terms of its physical features and textures?

Metamorphic rocks are distinguished by their unique textures and structures, which are formed through intense heat and pressure. These rocks often have distinct layers or bands, known as foliation, and may contain minerals that have been rearranged or recrystallized. In terms of physical features, metamorphic rocks can appear shiny, smooth, and sometimes have a striped or swirled pattern. Their textures can range from fine-grained to coarse-grained, depending on the specific conditions under which they were formed.