Metamorphic rocks are formed deep beneath the Earth’s crust, when protolith or preexisting

rocks endure immense conditions, such as extremely high temperature, pressure, and
exposure to mineral rich hot liquid. In spite of the aforementioned factors, certain protolith
rocks remain resistant to melting (in contrast to the origin of formation of igneous rocks)
causative to the change in its mineral composition and therefore to its rock type. Metamorphic
rocks were primarily formed either through contact (hot molten liquid enters through the
fissures of an existing rock, hence changing its composition; example of this is when limestone is
subjected to extreme heat, thus forming marble) or regional metamorphism (rocks that are
beneath large masses of rocks, were compacted due to extreme pressure thereby facilitating the
change and re-arrangement of the rock’s crystals into layers; a common example derived from this
metamorphism is slate).
The process of weathering plays a significant role in the rock cycle as it is responsible for the
disintegration and alteration of preexisting rocks at the Earth’s surface into smaller pieces,
hence the formation of clastic and organic rocks. It must also be underscored that weathering is
vital to the formation of sedimentary rocks, because weathering accounts for the production of
sediments, which is a rudimentary constituent of sedimentary rocks; since some of those
sedimentary rocks transform into metamorphic rocks once exposed to extreme conditions, it can
also be deduced that the rock cycle will not prosper nor continue without the presence of
weathering. Weathering can either be performed through chemical processes, biological
intervention, or mechanical means.