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Metamorphic Rocks
KINDS OF ROCKS

Amphibolite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms through

recrystallization under conditions of high viscosity and directed pressure.
It is composed primarily of amphibole and plagioclase, usually with very
little quartz. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.

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Schist is metamorphic rock with well developed foliation. It often

contains significant amounts of mica which allow the rock to split into thin
pieces. It is a rock of intermediate metamorphic grade between phyllite
and gneiss. The specimen shown above is a "chlorite schist" because it
contains a significant amount of chlorite. It is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.

Slate is a foliated metamorphic rock that is formed through the

metamorphism of shale. It is a low grade metamorphic rock that splits
into thin pieces. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.

Sedimentary Rocks

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Breccia is a clastic sedimentary rock that is composed of large (over two

millimeter diameter) angular fragments. The spaces between the large
fragments can be filled with a matrix of smaller particles or a mineral
cement which binds the rock together. The specimen shown above is
about two inches (five centimeters) across.

Chert is a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline sedimentary rock material

composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2). It occurs as nodules and
concretionary masses and less frequently as a layered deposit. It breaks
with a conchoidal fracture, often producing very sharp edges. Early
people took advantage of how chert breaks and used it to fashion cutting
tools and weapons. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.

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Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock made up mainly of sand-size

(1/16 to 2 millimeter diameter) weathering debris. Environments where
large amounts of sand can accumulate include beaches, deserts, flood
plains and deltas. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.

Igneous Rocks

Diorite is a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock that contains a

mixture of feldspar, pyroxene, hornblende and sometimes quartz. The
specimen shown above is about two inches (five centimeters) across.

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Granite is a coarse-grained, light colored, intrusive igneous rock that

contains mainly quartz and feldspar minerals. The specimen above is
about two inches (five centimeters) across.

Pumice is a light-colored vesicular igneous rock. It forms through very

rapid solidification of a melt. The vesicular texture is a result of gas
trapped in the melt at the time of solidification. The specimen shown
above is about two inches (five centimeters) across.