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

Classification of Metamorphic Rocks (Part 3)

Non-Foliatied Texture

• Non-foliated metamorphic rocks appear massive or granular without the characteristic parallel mineral grains in foliated rocks.

• Non-foliated metamorphic rocks are classified based primarily on their composition.

• Marble, quartzite, and soapstone are examples of non-foliated metamorphic rocks. 

Left: marble (photograph by Stan Johnson); right: quartzite (photograph by Parvinder Sethi)

Marble (left) and quartzite (right) are non-foliated metamorphic rocks.  This marble sample is from Albemarle County.  Quartzite is mined in Wythe County. 

 

 

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