Define foliation, and explain under what conditions metamorphic rocks are likely to be foliated.
Define foliation, and explain under what conditions metamorphic rocks are likely to be foliated.
On Earth, each rock has a specific process of origin. Metamorphic rocks are the transformed secondary rocks formed from pre-existing rocks of the same or other sources among different rock types.
Foliation is a physical feature apparent in the geological structure of metamorphic origin. The feature has a characteristic layering pattern, arranged in horizontal or vertical, or diagonal parallel layers. These layers are repetitive and sometimes peel-like sheets.
Layering or foliation features are evident in metamorphic rocks because their creation occurs under very high pressure and temperature beneath the Earth. These factors make the minerals of the primary rocks undergoing a metamorphosis change the alignment towards a constricted and squeezed pattern. This process creates layers or sheets, or plates of rock minerals arranged along the direction of pressure in the secondary rock.
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