Geology: Metamorphic Rocks and Landscape Evidence

Vocabulary flashcards based on the introductory lecture on metamorphic rock formation, Greek etymology, and evaluating physical evidence for landscape erosion.

Metamorphic rocks

Rocks that recrystallized under high temperature and pressure with no melt.

Meta

A Greek root meaning change.

Morph

A Greek root meaning shape.

Quartzite

A metamorphic rock formed under high temperature and pressure conditions, representing conditions roughly $6$ to $10\,\text{km}$ below the Earth's surface.

Erratics

Rocks transported from elsewhere by glaciers that do not naturally belong in the local bedrock where they are deposited.

Striae

Parallel scratches created on bedrock when a sliding glacier drags rocks locked within its ice along the underlying surface.

Conglomerate

A rock unit found directly on top of the quartzite at Devil's Lake State Park, containing large, rounded clasts.