A geologist finds a metamorphic rock and notices that it has grains that formed in parallel layers. The geologist pries at the rock, and it splits apart along the bands formed by the layers.

Which type of rock did the geologist most likely find?

gneiss
limestone
marble
sandstone

1 answer

The geologist most likely found gneiss. Gneiss is a type of metamorphic rock characterized by its banded appearance and the presence of parallel layers or foliation. The ability of the rock to split along these planes is another key characteristic of gneiss. Limestone and marble are primarily formed from the metamorphism of sedimentary rocks but do not typically exhibit the banded layering seen in gneiss. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock and does not have the same metamorphic features.