Metamorphic rocks form when rocks are subjected to high heat and pressure without melting. This causes minerals within the rock to compress, then break down to form different minerals. There are two main textures for metamorphic rocks; foliated (layered) and non-foliated (massive).

Metamorphism can be on a large scale, called regional metamorphism, during tectonic processes and mountain building events. It can also be on a smaller scale in the form of dynamic metamorphism (along thrust faults), contact metamorphism (when rocks touch a hot body of magma or hydrothermal liquids), or shock metamorphism (caused by external forces such as meteor impacts.)

The specimens below are some of the specimens on display at the Dunn-Seiler Museum. If you wish to visit the museum in person, you can see our hours of operation when you CLICK HERE.