Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks
Practice exam written by Timothy H. Heaton,
Professor of Earth Sciences, University of South Dakota

Which of these metamorphic rocks breaks along foliation lines?
Gneiss.
Marble.
Quartzite.
Schist.


Which metamorphic rock is foliated but does not generally break along the foliation planes?
Gneiss.
Marble.
Quartzite.
Schist.


What is the usual orientation of foliation?
Horizontal, the same as sedimentary beds.
Vertical and parallel to stress.
Vertical and perpendicular to stress.
Random orientation.


What sequence of rock types will shale pass through with successively higher grades of metamorphism?
Shale, phyllite, gneiss, schist, slate, partial melting.
Shale, phyllite, gneiss, slate, schist, partial melting.
Shale, phyllite, slate, schist, gneiss, partial melting.
Shale, slate, phyllite, gneiss, schist, partial melting.
Shale, slate, phyllite, schist, gneiss, partial melting.


Match each rock with its first-order metamorphic equivalent (the first rock it would turn into when metamorphosed). Protolith Metamorphic rock
Basalt.
Conglomerate.
Dolostone.
Limestone.
Granite.
Sandstone.
Shale. Amphibolite.
Gneiss.
Marble.
Metaconglomerate.
Quartzite.
Slate.



What is the order of index mineral appearance from low grade to high grade metamorphism?
Chlorite, biotite, muscovite, garnet, staurolite, sillimanite.
Chlorite, muscovite, biotite, garnet, staurolite, sillimanite.
Chlorite, muscovite, biotite, garnet, sillimanite, staurolite.
Muscovite, biotite, garnet, staurolite, sillimanite, chlorite.
Muscovite, chlorite, biotite, garnet, staurolite, sillimanite.


What silicate mineral is found in metamorphic rock of all grades?
Biotite.
Chlorite.
Feldspar.
Garnet.
Muscovite.


What is a rock called when it has both a metamorphic and an igneous component?
Hornfels.
Migmatite.
Mylonite.
Phyllite.
Quartzite.


What process often results in the production of valuable metal ore deposits.
Deep burial.
High grade metamorphism.
Hydrothermal activity.
Low grade metamorphism.
Subduction zone metamorphism.


What type of metamorphism exhibits high temperature but low pressure?
Contact metamorphism.
Fault zone metamorphism.
Regional metamorphism.


What type of metamorphism exhibits both high temperature and high pressure?
Contact metamorphism.
Fault zone metamorphism.
Regional metamorphism.


In what plate tectonic setting does regional metamorphism usually take place?
Convergent plate boundaries.
Divergent plate boundaries.
Transform plate boundaries.
Plate interiors.


What are flat continental areas with exposed igneous and metamorphic rocks called?
Plains.
Platforms.
Mylonites.
Salt flats.
Shields.