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Rock metamorphosis, or metamorphism, is the change in the crystalline components, chemical composition, or structure of rocks from exposure to intense pressure, heat, or exchange of ions through heated solutions. Metamorphosis of rock usually occurs deep below the Earth's surface, but could also occur from meteor impact, or close contact with a magmatic intrusion. Metamorphism occurs in rock without melting. Mineral components can recrystallize, form new minerals, and become aligned directionally in physical appearance. Through metamorphosis, one type of rock becomes another type of rock. Sandstone can become quartzite, limestone can become marble, shale can become slate, and so on. High pressures and temperatures can cause hydrous minerals to change to non-hydrous minerals like garnet. Rounded mineral crystals can become flattened, and minerals that grow in the stressed rock can display a preferred orientation that is perpendicular to the direction of the stress and display a characteristic known as foliation, with distinct banding or platyness. In rocks such as quartzite and limestone, where the minerals are relatively stable along a broad range of temperatures and pressures, the mineral crystals simply become larger. In cases where the metamorphism occurs because of proximity to hydrothermal fluids, a chemical exchange will take place, changing the original composition of the host rock.

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Q: What conditions cause the metamorphosis of igneous and sedimentary rock?
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What are the processes that can cause igneous or metamorphic rock to turn into sedimentary rock?

The metamorphic or igneous rock would have to be weathered and eroded until it is only particulates. Those particulates must then be forced together as a layer under gravitational pressure. These particulates will then become sedimentary rocks.


How big are the particles in metamorphic rock compared to those in sedimentary rock?

If by particles you mean the size of the crystals, then the crystals in metamorphic rock are often larger than in the sedimentary rock. High heat and pressure can cause the minerals to recrystallize. This would be the case in the metamorphosis of limestone (sedimentary) to marble (metamorphic).


What forces cause rocks to change from one type to another?

Magma subjected to cooling becomes igneous rock. Igneous rock then is subjected to weathering and erosion forming sediment which becomes compacted and cemented as sedimentary rock. Both sedimentary rock as well as Igneous rock when subjected ti heat and pressure become Metamorphic rock. This cycle goes on and on and is called the rock cycle.


What forces cause igneous rock to change to Sedimentary rock?

erosion,deposition,cementation,compaction,weathering


Is a sapphire a igneous metamorphic or sedimentary?

The presence of intrusive magma in an area (known as contact metamorphism), or of tectonic plate interactions on a larger scale (known as regional metamorphism) puts the igneous and sedimentary rocks and minerals under heat or pressure which may cause changes in their chemistry and crystal structure. The result is the creation of metamorphic rocks. Gemstones associated with metamorphic rock include the beryls, jade, lapis lazuli, turquoise, spinel, ruby, sapphire and zircon.

Related questions

How does igneous becomes sedimentary?

Weathering and erosion cause the igneous rock to break apart causing sediments from it to go somewhere like a river. Than over time compaction and cementation cause it to become a sedimentary rock.


How does an igneous become sedimentary?

Weathering and erosion cause the igneous rock to break apart causing sediments from it to go somewhere like a river. Than over time compaction and cementation cause it to become a sedimentary rock.


What are the processes that can cause igneous or metamorphic rock to turn into sedimentary rock?

The metamorphic or igneous rock would have to be weathered and eroded until it is only particulates. Those particulates must then be forced together as a layer under gravitational pressure. These particulates will then become sedimentary rocks.


How big are the particles in metamorphic rock compared to those in sedimentary rock?

If by particles you mean the size of the crystals, then the crystals in metamorphic rock are often larger than in the sedimentary rock. High heat and pressure can cause the minerals to recrystallize. This would be the case in the metamorphosis of limestone (sedimentary) to marble (metamorphic).


What forces cause rocks to change from one type to another?

Magma subjected to cooling becomes igneous rock. Igneous rock then is subjected to weathering and erosion forming sediment which becomes compacted and cemented as sedimentary rock. Both sedimentary rock as well as Igneous rock when subjected ti heat and pressure become Metamorphic rock. This cycle goes on and on and is called the rock cycle.


Is a sapphire a igneous metamorphic or sedimentary?

The presence of intrusive magma in an area (known as contact metamorphism), or of tectonic plate interactions on a larger scale (known as regional metamorphism) puts the igneous and sedimentary rocks and minerals under heat or pressure which may cause changes in their chemistry and crystal structure. The result is the creation of metamorphic rocks. Gemstones associated with metamorphic rock include the beryls, jade, lapis lazuli, turquoise, spinel, ruby, sapphire and zircon.


What forces cause igneous rock to change to Sedimentary rock?

erosion,deposition,cementation,compaction,weathering


When igneous rocks are subjected to intense heat and pressure they become what type o rock?

A sedimentary rock is formed when an igneous rock is subjected to weathering, erosion, compaction, and cementation!


What conditions can cause a sedimentary or igneous rock to change into a metamorphic rocks?

The structure of rock, made of transformed crystals or organic particles or both, is susceptible to changes from heat, pressure, or chemicals. Many times these things operate in concert. Metamorphosis comes about because a) there is a chemical percolating through the material, or b) the rock is under a lot of underground pressure, or c) the rock is heated underground. Usually b) and c) operate together, but not always, and this is the most common way for "metamorphic" rocks to form.


What does silver look like in rocks?

Black to dark Grey, in most cause, though very rare to fine silver seams !


How are rocks classified in the rock cycle?

By origin and method of formation. Igneous--molten material, sedimentary--from sediments, metamorphic--from existing rock that has undergone a physical change. The Three Rock Types and the Rock Cycle The three rock types are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. At one time, early in Earth's history, all rocks were igneous, having solidified from molten rock. 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 erosion and weathering components.


What is the difference of a metamorphic rock and a sedimentary rock?

The difference of metamorphic rocks from igneous and sedimentary rocks is on the way these rocks are formed. Igneous rocks form when magma cools down and becomes solid while sedimentary rocks form due to erosion and weathering of the Earthâ??s material, whereas, metamorphic rocks are formed as a result of rock transformation called metamorphism.