The primary agent of contact metamorphism is
a. flowing water
b. heat
c. extreme pressure
d. weathering

The primary agent of contact metamorphism is:

(B) Heat

Contact metamorphic rocks are formed due to the influence of magma intrusion at very high temperatures. The temperature is very high because it is located close to the magma. The word metamorphic was taken from the Greek words meta and morph. Meta means change, and morph means form. So, we can conclude that metamorphism is the process of changing rock form.

The primary agent of contact metamorphism is the heat. High temperatures come from magmas injected in the surrounding solid rock. Marble is one of the examples of contact metamorphic process. It is created from limestone that has been subjected to heat.

Besides the contact metamorphism, there are two other processes such as dynamo metamorphism, and pneumatolytic metamorphism. Dynamo metamorphism is influenced by high pressure, but pneumatolytic metamorphism is influenced by gases and chemicals.

Subject: Geography

Chapter: The Dynamics of the Lithosphere and Its Impact on Life

Keywords: metamorphic rocks, marble, metamorphic rock factors, the primary agent of metamorphic, examples of metamorphic rocks

The option B is correct.

The primary agent of contact metamorphism is heat.

Further Explanation:

Contact Metamorphism:When magma is injected towards the surrounding rock, the changes that take place are referred as Contact Metamorphism.

The greater changes take place when the magma touches rock because the temperatures roses as the distance between the boundary and the magma decreases and reaches the highest when it touches the rock or the boundary. The igneous rocks that are formed around from the cooling of the magma arereferred as a metamorphosed zone or a contact metamorphism aureole.The change that occurs is due to chemically active fluids, heat and pressure.

The ore minerals are formed by the process of metasomatism near or at the contact zone. The aureoles show different degrees of metamorphism spreading from the contact area to metamorphosed rock.Therefore,the primary agent of contact metamorphism is heat.  

Therefore, the option B is correct.

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Answer details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Geology

Chapter: Landforms

Keywords:The primary agent of contact metamorphism is, flowing water, heat, extreme pressure, weathering, metasomatism, igneous rocks, magma

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