Metamorphism is the process in which a rocks composition is changed by great heat or pressure, there are two

types: regional metamorphism and thermal metamorphism.

Thermal (contact) metamorphism is the process of using heat alone and regional is where great heat and
pressure will be applied over a large area e.g. fold mountain building.
Marble is created through regional metamorphism.
Limestone changes to marble through great heat and pressure where the calcite in limestone changes and fossils
disappear as interlocking grains grow.
Marble is created at destructive plate boundaries where fold mountains are made.
Most of Irelands metamorphic rocks were formed during the Caledonian fold mountain period (400 million
years ago).
Here the North American and Eurasian plates collided causing the crust to buckle upwards and magma rose
through the cracks inside the buckled rock.
The pressure from the folding and heat from the magma caused limestone to change into marble.
The metamorphism process changed the chemical composition of limestone.
We know this as limestone is grey however Kilkenny marble is black and Cork red.
If the limestone is pure it forms white marble.
However, as limestone contains layers of clay and other materials it may form attractive flow banding (marble
effect) and the other colours such as black, green and pink.
Quartzite is also created through regional metamorphism.
Sandstone changes to quartzite through great heat.
This type of metamorphism occurs when the heat from volcanic activity changes the rock that it comes into
contact with.
An aureole of quartzite in the Sugarloaf Mountain in Co. Wicklow was formed when hot molten magma came
into contact with sandstone changing the composition of the rock.