Marble Where Did The Heat And Pressure Come From

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to high pressure or heat.

Marble where did the heat and pressure come from.

Marble forms over millions of years when under lots of heat and pressure limestone changes physically and chemically into something harder and denser in a process known as recrystallization. Metamorphism causes variable recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. The heat inside earth is so intense that it moves continents builds mountains and causes earthquakes. Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism.

With continued metamorphism these crystal seeds grow while any clay deposits in the limestone transform into silicate structures such as mica. Where does all this heat come from. These are formed by deposits of minerals which existed in the limestone before it was affected by extreme heat and pressure in the earth s crust. That is it began as one kind of rock and later changed into another kind.

The resulting marble rock is typically composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals. When the heat and pressure hits the limestone calcite seed crystals form. Marble comes from limestone that has been changed by heat and pressure. It is composed primarily of the mineral calcite caco 3 and usually contains other minerals such as clay minerals micas quartz pyrite iron oxides and graphite.

Usually marble contains other minerals including quartz graphite pyrite and iron oxides. Because marble is a fairly soft material only a three on the mohs hardness scale it is easy to cut and carve. The pressure comes from many layers of rock piling on top of eachother and the heat comes from magma. The rock we call marble is really made over limestone it is a metamorphic rock.

Marble is formed under extreme heat when thinking about the various geological processes that result in the formation of natural stone such as granite and marble you cannot forget about volcanic and igneous activity. Ages ago the skeletons and shells of countless billions of tiny sea creatures. The minerals reacted to the pressure differently than the stone did forming veins and patterns. The beautiful and unique patterns in natural marble are a major reason for its value.

In its pure form marble is a white stone with a crystalline and sugary appearance consisting of calcium carbonate caco 3. Marble is found in the oldest layers of earth s crust.