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Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks - Regional Metamorphism.

Metamorphism which has occurred by the heat and pressure
due to Earth movements (not by contact with hot rock)
is called regional metamorphism
 (see Plate Tectonics at the GCSE Physics site).
Regional metamorphism may be low or high grade
depending on the intensity of the heat and pressure.

The metamorphic rock which is produced
depends on the particular rock which has been transformed.
Further Earth movements may produce uplift, bringing the metamorphic rock
 to the surface, where it is exposed to weathering (or mining).

If the rock is actually melted in the process, then it becomes molten magma
and may continue the rock cycle by cooling again as igneous rock.
If limestone is melted, then carbon dioxide can be released
through a volcano - see the carbon cycle.

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