Metamorfiták

Metamorfiták, also known as metamorphic rocks, are a group of rocks that have undergone transformation from an earlier form through a process called metamorphism. This transformation occurs when existing rocks, whether igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks, are subjected to intense heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids. These conditions, typically found deep within the Earth's crust or during mountain-building events, cause changes in the rock's mineralogy, texture, and sometimes even its chemical composition, without melting it.

The primary agents of metamorphism are heat, which can come from proximity to magma or from the geothermal gradient; pressure, which can be lithostatic (uniform) or directed (differential); and chemically active fluids, which can introduce or remove elements, altering the rock's composition. The type of metamorphism depends on the specific combination and intensity of these factors, leading to different kinds of metamorphic rocks.

Common examples of metamorphic rocks include marble, which forms from the metamorphism of limestone; slate and schist, derived from shale; and quartzite, the result of metamorphosed sandstone. The characteristic features of metamorphic rocks often include the development of new minerals that are stable under the metamorphic conditions, and a texture that can range from fine-grained and foliated (layered, like in slate and schist) to coarse-grained and non-foliated (like in marble and quartzite). The study of metamorphic rocks provides valuable insights into the geological history and processes of the Earth's interior.