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Section 4
Metamorphic Rocks and the Geologic History of your Community

In this section you will find materials that support the implementation of EarthComm: Florida, Section 4: Metamorphic Rocks and the Geologic History of your Community.


Inquiring Further

  1. To learn more about the formation of metamorphic rocks in the Appalachian Mountains, visit the following web sites:

    America's Volcanic Past - Appalachians Mountains and Scenic Trail, USGS
    Describes the geologic history of the Appalachian
    Mountains.

    The Southern Appalachian Mountains -How They Got Where They Are, Kempton H. Roll, Mountain Area Information Network
    Describes the events which formed the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

  2. To learn more about how hydrothermal alteration leads to the formation of deposits of valuable minerals like gold, silver, and copper, visit the following web sites:

    Mineral Resources, Paleontological Research Institution
    Includes a section that describes hydrothermal processes.

    Gold, USGS
    Describes the formation of gold deposits.

    Hydrothermal Alterations and the Formation of Metal Ores in the Sierra Nevada's, Megan Elizabeth Patterson, Indiana University
    Explains how hydrothermal alteration processes result in many metallically rich chemical compositions.

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Resources

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks, USGS
Explains the processes which form metamorphic rocks, as well as the difference between foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks.

Observe an animation of metamorphic rocks forming, TERC
Provides an overview of how metamorphic rocks form.

Deformation in Metamorphism

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks, Tulane University
Explains what happens when temperature and pressure deform a rock. Includes diagrams.

Foliation in Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rock Classification, California Polytechnic University
Read the definitions of foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks. This site also has a helpful chart to demonstrate the different type of foliations.

Atlas of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, Minerals and Textures, University of North Carolina
Defines the microtextures of metamorphic rocks, including foliation.

The Protoliths of Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rock Classification, California Polytechnic University
Provides a table that shows the protoliths of different metamorphic rocks.

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