Question

Select the definition that most closely matches the term metamorphism.

a)  The change that takes place within a body of rock as a result of it being subjected to conditions that are different from those in which it formed.

b)  The rock that exists before metamorphism starts.

c)  The concept that specific types of organisms lived during different time

intervals.
d)  The idea that young sedimentary rocks form on top of older ones.

Answer 1

Metamorphism refers to the process where a pre-existing rock, or protolith, is transformed into a metamorphic rock through exposure to new environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure.

Therefore the correct answer is option a) The change that takes place within a body of rock as a result of it being subjected to conditions that are different from those in which it formed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The definition that most closely matches the term metamorphism is a) The change that takes place within a body of rock as a result of it being subjected to conditions that are different from those in which it formed. Metamorphism involves the transformation of a pre-existing rock, known as the protolith, under different conditions of temperature, pressure, or chemically reactive fluids, which typically occurs beneath the Earth's surface or in contact with magma. This process can result in metamorphic rocks such as schist, slate, and marble, each derived from various types of protolith like sandstone, shale, and limestone, respectively.