What are schists?
Q: What are schists?
A: Schists are a group of metamorphic rocks which have lamellar (plate-like) minerals, such as micas, chlorite, talc, hornblende, graphite, and others.
Q: What type of mineral grains can be seen in schist?
A: The individual mineral grains in schist can be seen by the naked eye and are drawn out into flaky scales by heat and pressure.
Q: How is the word "schist" derived?
A: The word "schist" is derived from the Greek word σχίζειν schíxein meaning "to split", referring to how easily schists can be split along the plane in which the platy minerals lie.
Q: How do schists form?
A: Schists typically form from clays and muds that have gone through a series of metamorphic processes involving shales, slates and phyllites as intermediate steps. Some may also form from fine-grained igneous rocks such as basalts and tuffs.
Q: Are there different types of schists?
A: Yes, there are different types of schists including mica schists, graphite schists and chlorite schists. They are named after their mineral constituents such as garnet or tourmaline.
Q: What is dimension stone?
A: Dimension stone is stone that has been selected and cut to specific shapes or sizes.
