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Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks - Regional Metamorphism.

What is Regional Metamorphism?

Metamorphism that has occurred by heat and pressure
because of Earth movements (not by contact with hot rock)
is called regional metamorphism.
Regional metamorphism may be low grade or high grade
depending on the time and intensity of the heat and pressure.

The metamorphic rock which is produced
depends on the particular rock that has been transformed.
Further Earth movements may produce uplift,
bringing the metamorphic rock up to the surface,
where it is exposed to weathering (or mining).

If the rock is actually melted in the process, then it
becomes molten magma and may continue
the rock cycle by cooling again as igneous rock.
If limestone is melted, then carbon dioxide can
be released through a volcano - see the carbon cycle.

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