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Metamorphic rock is formed through the process of metamorphism, which involves intense heat and pressure acting on existing rocks, either igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks. This process causes changes in mineral composition and structure without the rock melting, creating distinct new features such as foliation and banding. The conditions under which metamorphic rocks form typically occur deep within the Earth’s crust or in tectonic settings where rocks are subjected to significant pressure and higher temperatures.

In contrast, sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and compaction of sediments, which may include mineral particles and organic matter, under lower temperature and pressure conditions compared to those required for metamorphic processes. Igneous rocks originate from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava, while volcanic rock specifically refers to igneous rocks that form from lava that cools on the Earth’s surface. Each of these other rock types forms through different geological processes that do not involve the intense heat and pressure characteristic of metamorphic rock formation.