Rock posters metamorphic (1)

This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

EAL Nexus resource

Rocks – metamorphic

Subject(s):

Geography, Science

Age group(s):

8–-11, 12–14, 15–16

Topic:

Types of rocks

Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014
Source | This resource was originally developed from a resource on TES by j33ffa , Charlotte Hurley and Alison Fisher and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.


Marble –

metamorphic rock

(rock changed by heat or pressure)

Marble is made from limestone that has been heated to change it into marble.

It is very heavy.

It is often white and has coloured swirls and
streaks.

light

heavy
Uses:

It is easy to polish and make the surface smooth and
shiny.
It is easy to carve because it is soft and doesn’t
crumble when cut.

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sculptures
buildings
statues
chopping boards
tiles


Slate – metamorphic rock
(rock changed by heat or pressure)

Slate is made when mudstones called shale are changed by heat and
pressure.
Slate is blue, purple and

Slate is waterproof.

grey in colour.

The crystals that the slate is
made from are arranged in
layers.
Uses:
roof and floor tiles
It is easy to cut into thin
sheets due to its layers.

walls
decorative gravel
gravestones


Gneiss – metamorphic rock
(rock changed by heat or pressure)

Gneiss is formed when sedimentary and igneous rocks are exposed to extreme
temperatures and pressure.
© Siim Sepp

Gneiss often has alternating bands of

Gneiss has a coarse texture and is

colour that make interesting patterns.

rough to the touch.

© Michael C Rygel

The bands are due to
Uses:

the various rocks it is
© Daniel CD

made from.
The quartz in gneiss
makes it sparkle.

• building construction
• decorative facing
• gravestones
• base for roads


Soapstone

– metamorphic rock

(rock changed by heat or pressure)

Soapstone is formed when sedimentary and igneous rocks are exposed to extreme
temperatures and pressure.

© Ra’ike

Soapstone is grey, green, pink
or white in colour.

Soapstone has a

Uses:

high resistance to

bowls

heat and acid.

carved objects
lining fireplaces
jewellery

Soapstone is a soft stone
and is easy to carve with a

It feels slippery like soap.

sharp tool such as a knife.
Soapstone can be polished
to a smooth finish.

Marble


Slate


Gneiss


Soapstone



Marble

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It
It
It
It
It

is a metamorphic rock.

is formed from limestone.
can be many colours but is often white with streaks in it.
is used for making statues and chopping boards.
is heavy.


Slate

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It is a metamorphic rock.
It is formed from shale.
Its crystals are arranged in layers.
It is used to make roof tiles.
It can be blue, purple and grey.


Gneiss

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It
It
It
It
It
It

is a metamorphic rock.
is formed from sedimentary and igneous rocks.
is formed under pressure.
has alternating bands of colours.
is rough to touch.
sparkles.


Soapstone

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It is a metamorphic rock.
It is quite a soft rock.
It is used for making bowls and other objects with carvings.
It feels smooth and slippery.
It has a high resistance to heat.