LSU GEOL 1001 EXAM 2 Questions with
Answers | Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. What is metamorphism?
A. Melting of a rock into magma
B. Solid-state alteration of a pre-existing rock due to changing conditions
C. Deposition of sediment
D. Crystallization of lava
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metamorphism changes a pre-existing rock while it remains solid. Temperature,
pressure, fluids, and deformation can cause new minerals or textures to develop.
2. Which process is NOT normally considered metamorphism?
A. Recrystallization
B. Mineral growth
C. Melting of the entire rock
D. Chemical reactions between minerals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Complete melting produces magma and moves the material into the igneous rock
cycle rather than remaining metamorphism.
3. Which factor is most directly responsible for metamorphic change?
A. Temperature
B. Pressure
C. Chemically active fluids
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Temperature, pressure, directed stress, and fluids can all influence metamorphic
reactions.
4. Metamorphism generally occurs:
,A. Only at Earth's surface
B. Below Earth's surface
C. Only inside oceans
D. Only in the atmosphere
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Most metamorphism occurs within Earth's crust at elevated temperatures and
pressures.
5. Which type of metamorphism occurs around an igneous intrusion?
A. Contact metamorphism
B. Regional metamorphism
C. Burial metamorphism only
D. Weathering
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Heat from a magma body can metamorphose surrounding rocks, producing a contact
metamorphic aureole.
6. Regional metamorphism is commonly associated with:
A. Large mountain-building events
B. Beach deposition
C. Lava cooling at the surface
D. Evaporation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Regional metamorphism affects broad areas during crustal deformation and
mountain building.
7. Which metamorphic environment involves high pressure and relatively low temperature?
A. Subduction zone
B. Mid-ocean ridge only
C. Desert surface
D. Shallow beach
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rocks carried downward at subduction zones can experience very high pressures
while remaining relatively cool compared with rocks at equivalent depths elsewhere.
8. Foliation refers to:
A. Layering or alignment of minerals produced by directed stress
B. Complete melting
C. Sediment transportation
D. Volcanic gas release
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Directed pressure can cause platy or elongated minerals to align, producing foliation.
9. Which metamorphic rock is typically nonfoliated?
A. Slate
B. Schist
C. Marble
D. Gneiss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Marble generally lacks strong mineral alignment because it is composed largely of
recrystallized calcite or dolomite.
10. Slate commonly forms from:
A. Shale
B. Granite
C. Basalt
D. Limestone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low-grade metamorphism of shale commonly produces slate.
, 11. Which rock represents a higher metamorphic grade than slate?
A. Schist
B. Sandstone
C. Conglomerate
D. Limestone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A common progression for shale-derived rocks is shale → slate → phyllite → schist →
gneiss as metamorphic grade increases.
12. Gneiss commonly exhibits:
A. Compositional banding
B. Vesicles
C. Cross-bedding
D. Mud cracks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gneiss commonly develops alternating light and dark mineral bands during high-
grade metamorphism.
13. Which rock forms from metamorphism of limestone?
A. Marble
B. Slate
C. Quartzite
D. Gneiss
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Limestone recrystallizes into marble during metamorphism.
14. Quartzite commonly forms from:
A. Quartz-rich sandstone
B. Basalt
Answers | Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. What is metamorphism?
A. Melting of a rock into magma
B. Solid-state alteration of a pre-existing rock due to changing conditions
C. Deposition of sediment
D. Crystallization of lava
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metamorphism changes a pre-existing rock while it remains solid. Temperature,
pressure, fluids, and deformation can cause new minerals or textures to develop.
2. Which process is NOT normally considered metamorphism?
A. Recrystallization
B. Mineral growth
C. Melting of the entire rock
D. Chemical reactions between minerals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Complete melting produces magma and moves the material into the igneous rock
cycle rather than remaining metamorphism.
3. Which factor is most directly responsible for metamorphic change?
A. Temperature
B. Pressure
C. Chemically active fluids
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Temperature, pressure, directed stress, and fluids can all influence metamorphic
reactions.
4. Metamorphism generally occurs:
,A. Only at Earth's surface
B. Below Earth's surface
C. Only inside oceans
D. Only in the atmosphere
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Most metamorphism occurs within Earth's crust at elevated temperatures and
pressures.
5. Which type of metamorphism occurs around an igneous intrusion?
A. Contact metamorphism
B. Regional metamorphism
C. Burial metamorphism only
D. Weathering
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Heat from a magma body can metamorphose surrounding rocks, producing a contact
metamorphic aureole.
6. Regional metamorphism is commonly associated with:
A. Large mountain-building events
B. Beach deposition
C. Lava cooling at the surface
D. Evaporation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Regional metamorphism affects broad areas during crustal deformation and
mountain building.
7. Which metamorphic environment involves high pressure and relatively low temperature?
A. Subduction zone
B. Mid-ocean ridge only
C. Desert surface
D. Shallow beach
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rocks carried downward at subduction zones can experience very high pressures
while remaining relatively cool compared with rocks at equivalent depths elsewhere.
8. Foliation refers to:
A. Layering or alignment of minerals produced by directed stress
B. Complete melting
C. Sediment transportation
D. Volcanic gas release
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Directed pressure can cause platy or elongated minerals to align, producing foliation.
9. Which metamorphic rock is typically nonfoliated?
A. Slate
B. Schist
C. Marble
D. Gneiss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Marble generally lacks strong mineral alignment because it is composed largely of
recrystallized calcite or dolomite.
10. Slate commonly forms from:
A. Shale
B. Granite
C. Basalt
D. Limestone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low-grade metamorphism of shale commonly produces slate.
, 11. Which rock represents a higher metamorphic grade than slate?
A. Schist
B. Sandstone
C. Conglomerate
D. Limestone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A common progression for shale-derived rocks is shale → slate → phyllite → schist →
gneiss as metamorphic grade increases.
12. Gneiss commonly exhibits:
A. Compositional banding
B. Vesicles
C. Cross-bedding
D. Mud cracks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gneiss commonly develops alternating light and dark mineral bands during high-
grade metamorphism.
13. Which rock forms from metamorphism of limestone?
A. Marble
B. Slate
C. Quartzite
D. Gneiss
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Limestone recrystallizes into marble during metamorphism.
14. Quartzite commonly forms from:
A. Quartz-rich sandstone
B. Basalt
