Metamorphic rocks are created by the physical or chemical change by heat and pressure

of an existing igneous or sedimentary material into a solid form. Due to the action of plate
tectonics, compression, stress and shearing forces over long periods of time, rocks can be
essentially deformed, causing them to be compacted into a smaller volume of space. As a
consequence, metamorphic rocks are always more solid than their original material, and also
much less sensitive to erosional breakdown. As the Earths plates move over geologic time, a
plate containing igneous or sedimentary rock may become subducted under another plate. !hey
may be formed simply by being deep beneath the Earths surface, sub"ected to high temperatures
and the great pressure of the rock layers above it. !hey are also formed when rock is heated up
by the intrusion of hot molten rock called magma from the Earths interior. !here are three type
of metamorphism in metamorphic rocks, they are contact metamorphism, regional
metamorphism, dynamic metamorphism.
#irst, $ontact Metamorphism occurs when magma comes in contact with an already
existing body of rock. %hen this happens the existing rocks temperature rises and also becomes
infiltrated with fluid from the magma. !he area affected by the contact of magma is usually
small. $ontact metamorphism produces non&foliated 'rocks without any cleavage( rocks such as
marble, quart)ite, and hornfels. !he heat generated by the magma chamber has changed the
sedimentary rocks into the metamorphic rocks marble, quart)ite, an hornfels. $ontact
metamorphism is the name given to the changes that take place when magma is in"ected into the
surrounding solid rock 'country rock(.
*econd, +egional Metamorphism occurs over a much larger area. !his metamorphism
produces rocks such as gneiss and schist. +egional metamorphism is caused by large geologic
processes such as mountain&building. !hese rocks when exposed to the surface show the
unbelievable pressure that cause the rocks to be bent and broken by the mountain building
process. +egional metamorphism usually produces foliated rocks such as gneiss and schist. ,f the
metamorphosed rocks are later uplifted and exposed by erosion, they may occur in long belts or
other large areas at the surface. !he process of metamorphism may have destroyed the original
features that could have revealed the rocks previous history.
!he next type is Dynamic Metamorphism happen because of mountain&building. !hese
huge forces of heat and pressure cause the rocks to be bent, folded, crushed, flattened, and
sheared. Metamorphic rocks are almost always harder than sedimentary rocks. !hey are
generally as hard and sometimes harder than igneous rocks. !hey form the roots of many
mountain chains and are exposed to the surface after the softer outer layers of rocks are eroded
away. Many metamorphic rocks are found in mountainous regions today and are a good indicator
that ancient mountains were present in areas that are now low hill or even flat plains. Dynamic
metamorphism is associated with )ones of high to moderate strain such as fault )ones.!his
generally forms a melange )one.
And in conclusion, Metamorphic rocks are formed because of the metamorphism process
involving pressure and temperature in the solid phase. !he resulting rock will be in appropriate
with the process of metamorphism that take place.