(Geology)(Earth Science) Metamorphic Rocks Identification Assignment In this ass

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(Geology)(Earth Science)

Metamorphic Rocks Identification Assignment

In this assignment, you will classify metamorphic rocks based on their texture and composition as well as determine their corresponding protolith using the classification scheme provided in Table 2 for Metamorphic Rocks Background Information. I have provided Table 2 for Metamorphic Rocks Background Information and Classification of Metamorphic Rocks below. Also, I have provided the table that you need to fill in below.

Note: You must find out what the name of the Metamorphic rock is from the sample letter.

PROCEDURE:

1. Pick 3/6 or all (if you want) of the metamorphic rocks (samples M–R) and examine them with only your eyes.

2. Determine whether each of the metamorphic rocks you chose is foliated or nonfoliated. Record this in Column 2 in the table that needs to be filled in below.

3. Identify the grain size of the rock (fine, medium, or coarse). Remember, fine-grained is not visible to barely visible, medium-grained is visible with small crystals, and coarse-grained is visible with large crystals. Record your observations in the “Grain Size” column (Column 3) in the table that needs to be filled in below.

4. Record any other textural features of the rock in Column 4 in the table that needs to be filled in below. Examples include: slaty cleavage, wavy foliation, schistosity, gneissic banding, microcrystalline or crystalline texture, sandy texture, stretched or sheared grains, and lineations. There should be descriptions of what these terms mean and perhaps pictures in the background information document that accompanies this assignment.

5    Use the information you gathered and in Table 2 in the Metamorphic Rock Background Information document to guess at the name of your three mystery rocks (Column 5).

Picture/Photo of the Metamorphic rocks:

Sample M:

Sample N:

Sample O:

Sample P:

Sample Q:

Sample R:

Classification of Metamorphic Rocks:

Table 2 for Metamorphic Rocks Background Information:

Table that needs to be filled in/out:

Explanation / Answer

The table and the description of the rocks is self-explanatory. The ones marked foliated are the rocks that have thin laminae while those marked non-foliated do not. The textures and the grain size can be clearly seen in the pictures.

The terms for column 4 are -

1. Gneissic - Gneissic rocks are formed by regional metamorphism of pre-existing rock formations. It is a high grade metamorphic rock formed by high pressure and high temperature metamorphism of formations that consist igneous and sedimentary rocks.

2. Slaty Cleavage - The rock shows parallel planes of weakness that are closely spaced. These rocks can be split along these planes of weakness into thin sheets.

3. Crystalline Texture - rocks with this texture have mostly equal sized grains that are fused together. The rock components are intergrown and interlocking of crystals can be seen.

Rock name

Sample Foliated/ non foliated Fine, medium, coarse grained Does this rock have any of the following, slaty cleavage, wave foliation, schistosity, gneissic, banding, microcrystalline, or crystalline tecture, sandy texture, stretched or sheared grains?

Rock name

Q Foliated Medium to Coarse Gneissic Granite P Foliated Fine grained Slaty Cleavage Slate N Non-foliated Medium to Coarse Crystalline texture Marble

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