Question 1

Why is pressure so important in metamorphism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increasing pressure causes many minerals to metamorphose into denser minerals that are more stable at high pressure. 
B)  It isn't important. 
C)  Decreasing pressure causes many minerals to metamorphose into denser minerals that are more stable at high pressure. 
D)  Increased pressure means low temperature which is a key factor of metamorphism 
A)  Increasing pressure causes many minerals to metamorphose into denser minerals that are more stable at high pressure. 
B)  It isn't important. 
C)  Decreasing pressure causes many minerals to metamorphose into denser minerals that are more stable at high pressure. 
D)  Increased pressure means low temperature which is a key factor of metamorphism A

Question 2

What grade of metamorphism occurs at a depth of 1 km and a temperature of 75 degrees C?

Accepted Answer

A)  low-grade metamorphism 
B)  lithification of sedimentary rocks 
C)  medium-grade metamorphism 
D)  not found on Earth 
A)  low-grade metamorphism 
B)  lithification of sedimentary rocks 
C)  medium-grade metamorphism 
D)  not found on Earth B

Question 3

Which of the following pairs of index minerals do not overlap in metamorphic grade?

Accepted Answer

A)  chlorite and pyroxene 
B)  biotite and garnet 
C)  staurolite and kyanite 
D)  amphibole and sillimanite 
A)  chlorite and pyroxene 
B)  biotite and garnet 
C)  staurolite and kyanite 
D)  amphibole and sillimanite A

Question 4

A gneiss containing kyanite and sillimanite most likely formed from a metamorphosed

Accepted Answer

A)  limestone. 
B)  mafic igneous rock. 
C)  coal. 
D)  shale. 
A)  limestone. 
B)  mafic igneous rock. 
C)  coal. 
D)  shale.

Question 5

Andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite are described as polymorphs. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

A)  They have the same atomic structure but different chemical compositions. 
B)  They have the same chemical composition but different atomic structures. 
C)  They all morphed at the same time. 
D)  They are exact opposites of one another. 
A)  They have the same atomic structure but different chemical compositions. 
B)  They have the same chemical composition but different atomic structures. 
C)  They all morphed at the same time. 
D)  They are exact opposites of one another.

Question 6

A coarse-grained weakly foliated metamorphic rock composed of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende (an amphibole) is classified as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  marble. 
B)  greenstone. 
C)  amphibolite. 
D)  hornfels. 
A)  marble. 
B)  greenstone. 
C)  amphibolite. 
D)  hornfels.

Question 7

Why don't diamonds turn back to graphite once they reach Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  Diamonds are too hard to undergo reactions. 
B)  Temperatures need to be lower than those found on Earth. 
C)  There is not enough heat on the surface of the earth to drive the reverse reactions. 
D)  Humans harvest diamonds before they can turn back to graphite. 
A)  Diamonds are too hard to undergo reactions. 
B)  Temperatures need to be lower than those found on Earth. 
C)  There is not enough heat on the surface of the earth to drive the reverse reactions. 
D)  Humans harvest diamonds before they can turn back to graphite.

Question 8

Which of the following pairs of index minerals do not overlap in metamorphic grade?

Accepted Answer

A)  chlorite and biotite 
B)  amphibole and garnet 
C)  staurolite and sillimanite 
D)  kyanite and pyroxene 
A)  chlorite and biotite 
B)  amphibole and garnet 
C)  staurolite and sillimanite 
D)  kyanite and pyroxene

Question 9

What information can be concluded by the rock name, staurolite-garnet-muscovite schist?

Accepted Answer

A)  The rock is nonfoliated and contains more staurolite than garnet or muscovite. 
B)  The rock is foliated and contains staurolite, garnet, and muscovite in approximately equal quantities. 
C)  The rock is nonfoliated, has undergone low-grade metamorphism, and contains the three minerals listed in dominant quantities. 
D)  The rock is foliated, has large mica grains, and contains more muscovite than staurolite or garnet. 
A)  The rock is nonfoliated and contains more staurolite than garnet or muscovite. 
B)  The rock is foliated and contains staurolite, garnet, and muscovite in approximately equal quantities. 
C)  The rock is nonfoliated, has undergone low-grade metamorphism, and contains the three minerals listed in dominant quantities. 
D)  The rock is foliated, has large mica grains, and contains more muscovite than staurolite or garnet.

Question 10

What grade of metamorphism occurs at a depth of 6 km and a temperature of 100 degrees C?

Accepted Answer

A)  lithification of sedimentary rocks 
B)  medium-grade metamorphism 
C)  not found on Earth 
D)  low-grade metamorphism 
A)  lithification of sedimentary rocks 
B)  medium-grade metamorphism 
C)  not found on Earth 
D)  low-grade metamorphism

Question 11

Which mineral is not a polymorph of Al2SiO5?

Accepted Answer

A)  andalusite 
B)  garnet 
C)  kyanite 
D)  sillimanite 
A)  andalusite 
B)  garnet 
C)  kyanite 
D)  sillimanite

Question 12

When trying to recognize if a rock is metamorphic, why would a geologist not consider bedding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Bedding in metamorphic rock is too complicated to study 
B)  There is so much bedding in metamorphic rock to identify a rock by it. 
C)  There are no obvious signs of bedding in metamorphic rock. 
D)  Bedding indicates the presence of metamorphic minerals. 
A)  Bedding in metamorphic rock is too complicated to study 
B)  There is so much bedding in metamorphic rock to identify a rock by it. 
C)  There are no obvious signs of bedding in metamorphic rock. 
D)  Bedding indicates the presence of metamorphic minerals.

Question 13

Geologists use the following methods to study metamorphic processes except

Accepted Answer

A)  inference and theory. 
B)  direct observation and conclusion. 
C)  experiment and conclusion. 
D)  indirect observation and inference. 
A)  inference and theory. 
B)  direct observation and conclusion. 
C)  experiment and conclusion. 
D)  indirect observation and inference.

Question 14

A felsic igneous rock metamorphosed to low metamorphic grade would become a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  schist. 
B)  amphibolite. 
C)  gneiss. 
D)  slate. 
A)  schist. 
B)  amphibolite. 
C)  gneiss. 
D)  slate.

Question 15

What role does temperature play in metamorphism?

Accepted Answer

Temperature increases along the geotherm

Question 16

A fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that exhibits a silky sheen is classified as a

Accepted Answer

A)  slate. 
B)  schist. 
C)  hornfels. 
D)  phyllite. 
A)  slate. 
B)  schist. 
C)  hornfels. 
D)  phyllite.

Question 17

Why do metamorphic rocks exist at the surface?

Accepted Answer

Mountain-building processes uplift metam

Question 18

What aluminosilicate polymorph is stable at a pressure of 3.5 kilobars and a temperature of 550 degrees C?

Accepted Answer

A)  andalusite 
B)  sillimanite 
C)  kyanite 
D)  andalusite, sillimanite and kyanite 
A)  andalusite 
B)  sillimanite 
C)  kyanite 
D)  andalusite, sillimanite and kyanite

Question 19

Which is not an effect of metamorphic dehydration?

Accepted Answer

A)  The melting temperature of silicate minerals decreases. 
B)  Magma formation is enhanced. 
C)  Crystallization occurs more quickly. 
D)  Water vapor fills spaces between mineral grains. 
A)  The melting temperature of silicate minerals decreases. 
B)  Magma formation is enhanced. 
C)  Crystallization occurs more quickly. 
D)  Water vapor fills spaces between mineral grains.

Question 20

Where does metamorphism take place?

Accepted Answer

The three primary types of metamorphism

Exam 6: Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Why is pressure so important in metamorphism?

What grade of metamorphism occurs at a depth of 1 km and a temperature of 75 degrees C?

Which of the following pairs of index minerals do not overlap in metamorphic grade?

A gneiss containing kyanite and sillimanite most likely formed from a metamorphosed

Andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite are described as polymorphs. What does this mean?

A coarse-grained weakly foliated metamorphic rock composed of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende (an amphibole) is classified as a(n)

Why don't diamonds turn back to graphite once they reach Earth's surface?

Which of the following pairs of index minerals do not overlap in metamorphic grade?

What information can be concluded by the rock name, staurolite-garnet-muscovite schist?

What grade of metamorphism occurs at a depth of 6 km and a temperature of 100 degrees C?

Which mineral is not a polymorph of Al2SiO5?

When trying to recognize if a rock is metamorphic, why would a geologist not consider bedding?

Geologists use the following methods to study metamorphic processes except

A felsic igneous rock metamorphosed to low metamorphic grade would become a(n)

What role does temperature play in metamorphism?

A fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that exhibits a silky sheen is classified as a

Why do metamorphic rocks exist at the surface?

What aluminosilicate polymorph is stable at a pressure of 3.5 kilobars and a temperature of 550 degrees C?

Which is not an effect of metamorphic dehydration?

Where does metamorphism take place?

Why Study Earth

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: a Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real Time Change in the Earth System

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