Metamorphic Rock Classification and Identification

Start with the notes

The page opens with notes on identifying regional metamorphic rocks and identifying metamorphic rocks. The regional note introduces foliated rocks and describes how pressure affects their platy minerals. The other note introduces unfoliated rocks and includes quartzite and its parent rock.

Read these notes first if you want a starting point for the distinction between foliated and unfoliated rocks. As you read, look for the features used to describe each rock and the links made to its parent rock. These details give you terms to look for in the flashcards and quiz.

Practice with flashcards and the quiz

The Geology Metamorphic flashcards describe features including grain size, texture and banding. The Metamorphic Rocks flashcards include slate, gneiss, quartzite, schist and marble. Use them after the notes to practice connecting rock names with their descriptions.

The Metamorphic Rock Classification quiz asks about foliation, including whether it can appear through color and structure. Try the quiz after studying the descriptions, then return to the notes and flashcards to review the terms behind your answers.

Connect the maps to your study

The Marble mind map covers color, parent rock and uses. The Quartzite map describes its sandstone parent rock and changes involving quartz and silica grains. Compare each map with the flashcards to see how a rock's features are presented in different formats.

This topic is one section of the Metamorphic Rocks unit in Geology and earth sciences. Its notes, cards, quiz and maps offer different ways to work through classification and identification within that unit. Choose a rock or feature and explore it through a resource on this page.