Heat Rocks? are there such a thing?

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tom.ta.20012@gm...

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Heat Rocks? are there such a thing?

I was just wondering are there any two rocks or combination of rocks that when their flat surfaces are pushed to gether cause heat? If the pressure is very high is that heat quite considerable??

 Im sure a rock hobbiest would have the abilities to find that type of rock even if it was lost knoledge lol

John

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This is exactly what happens

This is exactly what happens in a subduction zone (easier if you Google that rather than have me write it out) which produces enough heat to melt rocks to a magma, the end product of which is a volcano.  These are igneous rocks and can come from sea floor sediments.  Indeed the water content can lower the temperature at which the rocks melt.

With this you are talking of a movement of 2mm upwards (to about 10mm) per year to produce a melt, but these are incredibly vast slabs of rock. 

To a lesser extent rocks can be altered by heat and/or pressure to a point where they become 'plastic', but do not melt.  These are known as metamorphic rocks, and are arguably the most complex (but also the most interesting and beautiful - IMHO) of the three major rock groups.

In answer to your question, I don't know of any combinations of rocks that will not melt or metamorphise, given the right conditions. 

However, you will not produce either of these effects with a couple of lumps of rock in your hand.  Needs far greater forces that we can produce.

All the terms I have used may be unfamiliar to you, but I assure they are common in geology, and will come up with a full explanation if Googled  

Does this help?

 John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant


John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

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