Physical Geology Learning Objectives and Study Questions
Chapter 8: Tarbuck and Lutgens, 12 ed.
1. Describe the key changes that a rock undergoes during metamorphism and explain how
they set this process apart from diagenesis of sediments or the formation of magmas.
2. Determine whether a metamorphic rock sample is foliated or nonfoliated and tell what each
texture implies about state of differential stress in the crust during metamorphism.
3. Describe the different processes by which foliation develops in a metamorphic rock.
4. Determine whether a body of metamorphic rocks is likely to be a product of contact or
regional metamorphism on the basis of its outcrop pattern on a geologic map or in a crosssection.
5. Explain how the occurrence of index minerals is used to map out metamorphic grade.
6. On a cross-section of a subduction zone indicate the regions where burial, contact,
subduction, regional and hydrothermal metamorphism are expected to occur.
1. During metamorphism, all of the following occur except _____.
A. old minerals break down
B. new minerals grow
C. new textures develop
D. significant melting takes place
E. the rock remains solid
2. Foliation and metamorphic layering develop in response to
_____.
A. chemically-active fluids
B. differential stress
C. elevated temperature
D. kind words
E. pressure
3. The overall composition of the parent rock typically changes
little as a result of metamorphism except during the process of
_____.
A. diagenesis
B. lithification
C. magmatic differentiation
D. metasomatism
E. recrystallization
4. Contact metamorphism occurs near the margins of intrusions, primarily in response to
_____.
A. chemically-active fluids
B. differential stress
C. elevated temperature
D. pressure
E. shock
5. In continent-continent collision zones rocks typically undergo _____ metamorphism.
A. burial
B. contact
C. hydrothermal
D. regional
E. shock
6. Mapping out metamorphic grade requires recognizing the presence of _____ in the field.
A. foliation
B. faults
C. index minerals
D. plutons
E. quartzite
7. Of the following metamorphic rocks, which forms at the highest grade in a zone of regional
metamorphism?
A. gneiss
B. migmatite
C. phyllite
D. schist
E. slate
8. For question 6 on page 237 of our textbook, the fourth blank over from the left would
correspond to which metamorphic environment?
A. contact metamorphism
B. subduction metamorphism
C. regional metamorphism
D. burial metamorphism
E. hydrothermal metamorphism