METAMORPHIC ROCKS

Metamorphic rocks are formed when other kinds of rocks are changed by great heat and pressure inside the earth.

The word "metamorphic" means changed. Think of metamorphic rocks as recycled rocks.

When igneous, sedimentary or even metamorphic rocks get buried deep beneath the surface of the earth, over millions of years the heat and pressure inside the earth change them into something else.

Limestone can be changed to marble, sandstone can be changed into quartzite, and shale can be changed to slate. It's just another example of how the earth is constantly changing!

Click on the names of metamorphic rocks below to see some neat pictures.