What kind of process can change sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock?

Answer 1

Sedimentary rock can be changed to metamorphic rock by either heat or pressure, or a combination of both. These processes can occur for various reasons including, faulting and folding, divergent and convergent tectonic plates, exposure to magma or lava, burial of sedimentary deposits, etc... Basically the same forces that create earthquakes and volcanoes are responsible for creating metamorphic rock.

Answer 2

Lithification is the conversion of sediment into rock, and results from a number of processes:

1. Compaction involves packing together of sediment grains through burial, leading to a reduction in sediment volume by up to 40%. Reduction of volume generally results from the pressure or weight of overlying sediments.
2. Desiccation involves the loss of water from sediment pore spaces, typically resulting from compaction but also from evaporation in air.
3. Cementation occurs where minerals precipitate from sediment pore fluids to bind to sediment particles together. Most common cements are calcite (CaCO3) and quartz (SiO2), but dolomite [(CaMg)CO3], iron oxides (Fe2O3), and iron hydroxides [FeO(OH)] may also serve as cements.
4. Crystallization characterizes chemical sediments, and primarily involves formation of interlocking crystals.

from : http://www.geo.ua.edu/intro03/Seds.html

Answer 3

• General erosion causes the breaking down and taking away of the rock
• For example, a river takes the load to the local sea
• When the fragments are stationary, they are soon covered by further eroded material
• After millions of years of burial the rocks are under immense pressure
• Eventually the rocks are cemented (or an alternative process) and are lithified, forming a sedimentary rock.

Answer 4

Weathering and erosion of the original sedimentary rock along with deposition, compaction, and lithification of the weathered and eroded rock particles.

Answer 5

melting and crystalization

Answer 6

Compaction of Sediments