Final answer:
Metamorphic rocks are least likely to be exposed at the Earth's surface in the stable interior of a tectonic plate, far from any active plate boundaries due to less geological activity and erosion in these regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In which geological setting is metamorphic rock least likely to be exposed at the Earth's surface? Among the given options, metamorphic rock is least likely to be exposed at the Earth's surface in the stable interior of a tectonic plate, far from any active plate boundaries. This is because metamorphic rocks most commonly form in regions that have experienced immense pressures and temperatures, such as mountain ranges or areas where tectonic plates collide. In the interiors of tectonic plates, these types of conditions are much less prevalent, leading to a lesser chance of metamorphic rocks being pushed to the surface and exposed through erosion.
Continental shields, deeply incised parts of the Earth's crust, and deeply eroded mountain ranges are all areas where erosion and geological activity have brought deep-seated rocks, including metamorphic rocks, to the surface. However, the stable interior regions of tectonic plates generally experience far less geological upheaval and erosion, making the exposure of metamorphic rocks in these regions less likely.