2025/2026 Earth- An Introduction to
Physical Geology #3 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Name the two types of "geologic time": (each is a
single-word, separate them with a single space
only) - ANSWER-Numerical, and Relative
________ metamorphism tends to occur in
regions where massive amounts of sedimentary
or volcanic materials accumulate in a subsiding
basin. - ANSWER-Burial
________ is the process by which a rock changes
form or mineral content as a result of
environmental changes such as heat and
pressure. - ANSWER-Metamorphism
What is meant by the statement "Every
metamorphic rock has a parent rock"? -
ANSWER-All metamorphic rocks are created only
through the change of preexisting rock.
,How can a rock change during metamorphism? -
ANSWER-Metamorphism can change the
mineralogy, texture, and/or chemical
composition of a rock.
This Gigapan image shows a dark metamorphic
rock in contact with a lighter igneous rock
(granite). Review the statements below, and
determine which are correct about the dark
metamorphic rock on the left in the Gigapan
image. - ANSWER-The metamorphic rock shows
foliation.
Return to the Gigapan image. Closely examine
the rocks for evidence of metamorphic agents.
Determine the metamorphic agent(s), or main
metamorphic process(es), of the dark
metamorphic rock in the Gigapan image. -
ANSWER-Heating and pressure in one main
direction
Rank from youngest = 1 (most recent) to oldest =
4. - ANSWER-1.) Intrusion of light colored igneous
rock2.) Metamorphism of rock that became the
dark colored metamorphic3.) Lithification (the
,creation of sedimentary rock) from sediment4.)
Deposition of Sediments
What role do chemically active fluids play in
metamorphism? - ANSWER-Chemically active
fluids can bring new atoms into the rock or take
atoms out of the rock, thus altering the rock's
composition.
What are the four agents that drive
metamorphism? - ANSWER-directional stress,
pressure, heat, and chemically active fluids
How is confining pressure different from
differential stress? - ANSWER-When a rock is
under confining pressure, all of the forces are
applied to the rock equally in all directions.
However, pressure applied to a rock by
differential stress is greater in a single direction
than in all of the other directions.
, How are metamorphic rocks formed? - ANSWER-
Preexisting rock is altered through heat and
pressure.
Do metamorphic rocks look like the preexisting
rock from which they form? - ANSWER-
sometimes, but not always
What is foliation? - ANSWER-banding in
metamorphic rocks that results from the
reorientation of minerals
How will foliation in continental metamorphic
rocks formed during subduction be oriented? -
ANSWER-perpendicular to the direction of plate
movement
What would you call a granite that has undergone
metamorphism and now exhibits foliation? -
ANSWER-gneiss
What is rock texture? - ANSWER-the way a rock
looks
Physical Geology #3 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Name the two types of "geologic time": (each is a
single-word, separate them with a single space
only) - ANSWER-Numerical, and Relative
________ metamorphism tends to occur in
regions where massive amounts of sedimentary
or volcanic materials accumulate in a subsiding
basin. - ANSWER-Burial
________ is the process by which a rock changes
form or mineral content as a result of
environmental changes such as heat and
pressure. - ANSWER-Metamorphism
What is meant by the statement "Every
metamorphic rock has a parent rock"? -
ANSWER-All metamorphic rocks are created only
through the change of preexisting rock.
,How can a rock change during metamorphism? -
ANSWER-Metamorphism can change the
mineralogy, texture, and/or chemical
composition of a rock.
This Gigapan image shows a dark metamorphic
rock in contact with a lighter igneous rock
(granite). Review the statements below, and
determine which are correct about the dark
metamorphic rock on the left in the Gigapan
image. - ANSWER-The metamorphic rock shows
foliation.
Return to the Gigapan image. Closely examine
the rocks for evidence of metamorphic agents.
Determine the metamorphic agent(s), or main
metamorphic process(es), of the dark
metamorphic rock in the Gigapan image. -
ANSWER-Heating and pressure in one main
direction
Rank from youngest = 1 (most recent) to oldest =
4. - ANSWER-1.) Intrusion of light colored igneous
rock2.) Metamorphism of rock that became the
dark colored metamorphic3.) Lithification (the
,creation of sedimentary rock) from sediment4.)
Deposition of Sediments
What role do chemically active fluids play in
metamorphism? - ANSWER-Chemically active
fluids can bring new atoms into the rock or take
atoms out of the rock, thus altering the rock's
composition.
What are the four agents that drive
metamorphism? - ANSWER-directional stress,
pressure, heat, and chemically active fluids
How is confining pressure different from
differential stress? - ANSWER-When a rock is
under confining pressure, all of the forces are
applied to the rock equally in all directions.
However, pressure applied to a rock by
differential stress is greater in a single direction
than in all of the other directions.
, How are metamorphic rocks formed? - ANSWER-
Preexisting rock is altered through heat and
pressure.
Do metamorphic rocks look like the preexisting
rock from which they form? - ANSWER-
sometimes, but not always
What is foliation? - ANSWER-banding in
metamorphic rocks that results from the
reorientation of minerals
How will foliation in continental metamorphic
rocks formed during subduction be oriented? -
ANSWER-perpendicular to the direction of plate
movement
What would you call a granite that has undergone
metamorphism and now exhibits foliation? -
ANSWER-gneiss
What is rock texture? - ANSWER-the way a rock
looks
