Marble, serpentine, and schist are examples of which type of rock?

Marble, serpentine, and schist are all classified as metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks are formed under the influence of high pressure, high temperature, or chemically active fluids, which alter the original structure and composition of the parent rock, known as the protolith.

Marble originates from limestone and is primarily composed of calcite or dolomite. Its formation involves recrystallization of the carbonate minerals under heat and pressure. Serpentine, on the other hand, typically forms from the alteration of ultramafic rocks, resulting in a rock rich in serpentine minerals. Schist is characterized by its foliated texture and is formed from the metamorphism of shale or other sedimentary rocks, containing large mineral grains that are clearly visible.

In contrast, igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten material (magma or lava), sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of mineral and organic particles, and volcanic rocks are specifically formed from lava flow or explosive volcanic eruptions. Therefore, the distinct characteristics of marble, serpentine, and schist as products of metamorphism clearly categorize them as metamorphic rocks.