Rock Topics

• Introduction
• Basics
• The Rock Cycle
• Igneous Rocks
• Sedimentary Rocks
• Metamorphic Rocks
  1. Agents of Change
  2. Classification
  3. Foliated Textures
  Slaty
  Phyllitic
  Schistose
  Gneissic
  4. Non-foliated Textures
  5. Composition
  6. Index Minerals
  7. Common Metamorphic Rocks
  Slate
  Phyllite
  Schist
  Gneiss
  Amphibolite
  Marble
  Quartzite
  Soapstone
• Rocks In Virginia

Common Metamorphic Rocks, Part 1

• Slate

• Phyllite

• Schist

• Gneiss

• Amphibolite

• Marble

• Quartzite

• Soapstone

Slate

Slate is a fine-grained, low-grade metamorphic rock.  It forms from the metamorphism of the sedimentary rock shale.

Slate (Photograph by Parvinder Sethi)

Phyllite

Phyllite is a fine-grained, low-grade metamorphic rock.  It is slightly more metamorphosed than slate, and tends to have a crenulated or crinkled surface.

Phyllite (Photograph by Parvinder Sethi)

1.2  Mineral Identification

1.3  Major Mineral Groups

1.4  Selected Virginia Minerals

1.5  Tips for Mineral Collecting

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