Page 225 - Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology

ACTIVITY 7.2 Metamorphic Rock Analysis and Interpretation

Name: ______________________________________ Course/Section: ______________________ Date: ___________

A. Analyze these samples of sedimentary limestone and metamorphic marble.

Limestone 1 Marble 1

1. These rocks are both composed of the same mineral. What is it? _______________________________
What test could you perform on the rocks to be sure?

2. How is the texture of these two rocks different?

B. The sequence of increasing grades of metamorphism of a mudstone (shale, claystone, or siltstone) parent rock (protolith) is:
slate (lowest grade), phyllite, schist, gneiss (highest grade).
Slate 1 Phyllite 1 Schist 1

1. Describe the change in grain size from slate to schist.

2. How does the texture of phyllite differ from that of schist?

3. Why do you think that the micas (flat minerals) in these rocks are all parallel, or nearly so, to one another?

200