Metaquartzite is a type of metamorphic rock that forms from the recrystallization of quartz-rich sandstone under high pressure and temperature conditions. It is composed mainly of interlocking grains of quartz with minor amounts of other minerals, such as feldspar, mica, and clay. The high-temperature metamorphism that produces metaquartzite is typically associated with mountain building processes and plate tectonic events, such as collisional orogeny.
Metaquartzite is usually a hard, durable rock with a crystalline texture, and it is often resistant to weathering and erosion. It is used as a building stone, for paving and flooring, and as a decorative stone. Some metaquartzites are also rich in heavy minerals, including gold, tin, and titanium, which makes them of interest to the mining industry.
In terms of geology, metaquartzite is an important rock type because it provides evidence of the conditions and processes that have shaped the Earth's crust. For example, the distribution and orientation of metaquartzite can be used to determine the direction of plate movements and to study the evolution of mountain belts. The rock also provides information about the composition of ancient sedimentary environments and the composition of the crust at the time of metamorphism.