Final answer:
Marble forms from limestone through the process of metamorphism, which involves high heat and pressure that recrystallize the rock's mineral grains. Unlike processes such as erosion or deposition, metamorphism does not weather or break down the rock, nor does it involve melting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that transforms limestone, a sedimentary rock, into marble, a metamorphic rock, is known as metamorphism. This transformative process involves the recrystallization of carbonate minerals, primarily calcite or dolomite, under conditions of high heat and pressure. It is part of the earth's geological cycle where tectonic plate motions drive the metamorphosis by subjecting the rock to deformational processes that significantly alter its original form without causing it to melt.
Due to metamorphism, the texture and mineral composition of limestone changes, leading to the development of a denser and more crystalline material known as marble. This material, often characterized by its light color and capacity for taking a high polish, has been used extensively in art and architecture through history. The unique and varied veining in marble often comes from impurities present in the original limestone.
Contrary to other processes such as erosion, subduction, or deposition, which also affect rock structures, metamorphism specifically operates via heat and pressure to alter the rock's fabric without melting it, creating diverse textures and patterns, sometimes leading to foliation, where minerals align due to directional pressure. The duration and intensity of these conditions determine the final properties of the resulting metamorphic rock.