Question

Students were asked to draft an explanation of how a metamorphic rock can change into a sedimentary rock. In the explanation, the students have to accurately describe the paths the rock will take. Which of the following pathways correctly describes in detail the journey a metamorphic rock could take to become a sedimentary rock?

a) A metamorphic rock melts and solidifies becomes an igneous rock experiences weathering and erosion → turns into sediment compacts and cements becomes a sedimentary rock.
b) A metamorphic rock undergoes extreme heat and pressure becomes an intrusive igneous rock - experiences weathering and erosion becomes a sedimentary rock
c) A metamorphic rock experiences weathering and erosion becomes an intrusive igneous rock → experiences weathering and erosion compacts and cements becomes a sedimentary rock.
d) A metamorphic rock - undergoes extreme heat and pressure - turns into sediments experience weathering and erosion becomes a sedimentary rock.

Answer 1

The correct pathway for a metamorphic rock to become a sedimentary rock is through weathering and erosion, followed by becoming an intrusive igneous rock, and then weathering and erosion again before the compaction and cementation to form a sedimentary rock.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct pathway describing the journey of a metamorphic rock to become a sedimentary rock is option c) A metamorphic rock experiences weathering and erosion, becomes an intrusive igneous rock, experiences weathering and erosion again, compacts and cements, and finally becomes a sedimentary rock.

First, the metamorphic rock undergoes weathering and erosion, breaking it down into smaller particles. These particles then become part of an intrusive igneous rock through lithification.

The rock then experiences weathering and erosion again, breaking it down further into sediment. The sediment is then compacted and cemented to become a sedimentary rock.