Heat and pressure are constantly at work below the Earth's surface, but sometimes, their amazing effects can be seen above ground. These powerful forces shape metamorphic rocks, one of the three kinds of rock that cover the surface of the Earth. Readers will learn how plate tectonics play a role in rock formation, where these rocks appear, and how to identify them based on their physical properties. This text takes the curriculum topics out of the classroom and into the real world, showing readers how metamorphic rock shapes our lives. The science-rich text is completed with full-colour photographs, fun fact boxes, and informative sidebars.