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12. Minerals: The Materials of Earth 17. Sedimentary Rocks: The Key to Past Environments 19. Running Water I: Rivers, Erosion and Deposition |
Episode 18. Metamorphic RocksWhat happens during metamorphism? What is a protolith? What temperature and pressure ranges are common in metamorphic environments? What is directed pressure, and where does it usually occur? What happens to minerals as temperature and pressure increase? What is foliation? Why are foliated rocks often unstable when exposed at the surface? Describe temperature increases and recrystallization. What are migmatites and how are they formed? In general, what changes in texture and composition occur during metamorphism? What factors affect the specific changes which take place during metamorphism? Describe contact metamorphism. Describe regional metamorphism. How is metamorphism like cooking (called an "isochemical" process). What are metamorphic facies, and how are they used to decipher geologic history? Describe progressive regional metamorphic stages, using claystone as the protolith. Why aren't metamorphic rocks 'unmetamorphosed' as temperatures drop? What is the assumed rate of growth of snowball garnets, and what does this suggest about the metamorphic process? Why are most metamorphic rocks associated with plate boundaries? Download the PDF version here |