Which process can cause sedimentary rocks to become metamorphic rocks?

Which process can cause sedimentary rocks to become metamorphic rocks?

• A. Heat and pressure
• B. Erosion
• C. Melting
• D. Weathering

Answer: (A)

Heat and pressure deep underground change rocks by rearranging their minerals without melting. When sedimentary rocks are buried and experiences more heat and squeeze, the minerals recrystallize and realign, creating a new rock type called metamorphic rock. This is how shale can become slate, sandstone can become quartzite, and limestone can become marble under enough heat and pressure. If melting occurred instead, the rock would become magma and later igneous rock, not metamorphic. Erosion and weathering operate at the surface to break rocks apart, not transform them into metamorphic rocks.

Heat and pressure deep underground change rocks by rearranging their minerals without melting. When sedimentary rocks are buried and experiences more heat and squeeze, the minerals recrystallize and realign, creating a new rock type called metamorphic rock. This is how shale can become slate, sandstone can become quartzite, and limestone can become marble under enough heat and pressure. If melting occurred instead, the rock would become magma and later igneous rock, not metamorphic. Erosion and weathering operate at the surface to break rocks apart, not transform them into metamorphic rocks.