Which type of rock can be foliated
A. Metamorphic rock
B. Igneous rock that cools quickly
C. Igneous rock that cools slowly
D. Sedimentary rock
A. Metamorphic rock
The correct answer is A. Metamorphic rock can be foliated. Foliation refers to the parallel alignment of minerals or mineral bands within a rock. It is commonly found in metamorphic rocks caused by the intense pressure and heat during their formation.
The type of rock that can be foliated is A. Metamorphic rock.
Now, let me explain how to arrive at this answer.
Foliation refers to the arrangement of mineral grains or structural features like layering or banding in a rock. It occurs due to the intense pressure and heat that metamorphic rocks undergo during the process of formation. The pressure causes the minerals within the rock to align and reconfigure, resulting in the development of a distinct layering or banding pattern.
On the other hand, igneous rocks are formed from molten magma or lava that cools and solidifies. The texture of igneous rocks is dependent on the cooling rate. If the cooling is rapid, like with volcanic rocks, the minerals do not have time to align or form any layered patterns, thus making them non-foliated. So, B. Igneous rock that cools quickly is not foliated.
Similarly, C. Igneous rock that cools slowly, such as intrusive rocks that cool deep within the Earth, can also develop a non-foliated texture. Slow cooling allows the minerals to grow larger without developing any arrangement or alignment, again making them non-foliated.
Lastly, D. Sedimentary rock primarily forms from the accumulation and compression of sediments. While sedimentary rocks can have textures like layers or bedding planes, these structural features are different from the foliation found in metamorphic rocks. Therefore, D. Sedimentary rock is also not typically foliated.
Hence, the correct answer is A. Metamorphic rock.