if a rock undergoes high temperatures and high pressures deep within Earth, what new type of rock will be foremed? Assume that the rock does not melt
When a rock is subjected to high temperatures and high pressures deep within Earth, it can undergo a process called metamorphism, resulting in the formation of a new rock type called metamorphic rock.
To understand this process, let's break it down step by step:
1. High Temperatures: As the rock deep within Earth experiences elevated temperatures, the minerals within the rock start to become unstable. The heat causes the atoms and ions in the minerals to vibrate more rapidly, leading to the breakdown and reorganization of the crystal structure.
2. High Pressures: The intense pressure deep within Earth compresses the rock, causing the minerals to align in specific orientations. This pressure can come from the overlying rock layers or tectonic forces acting on the rock.
3. Metamorphism: The combination of high temperatures and high pressures triggers a series of physical and chemical changes within the rock. These changes can involve recrystallization, deformation, and the growth of new minerals. The original rock's composition, texture, and structure are altered, resulting in the formation of a metamorphic rock.
The specific type of metamorphic rock that forms depends on various factors such as the composition, mineralogy, and original texture of the rock, as well as the intensity and duration of the heat and pressure it experiences. Common examples of metamorphic rocks include gneiss, slate, marble, and quartzite.
Overall, the process of metamorphism involves subjecting a rock to high temperatures and pressures deep within Earth, leading to the transformation of the rock into a new type called metamorphic rock.