Lesson 06: Metamorphic Construction Materials

Gray Marble
One metamorphic rock that is often used in construction is marble.  The parent rock of marble is limestone. It is medium to coarse grained, and is fairly soft, only being a 3 on Moh's hardness scale. However, since marble is made primarily of calcite, it is susceptible to chemical weathering by acid rain. This means that if the marble is exposed to the elements, it can erode and deteriorate quickly. There are sealants and other products available to protect from this though.



Image result for taj mahal
marble Supreme Court buildingIt has many uses in construction. Marble can be used as the primary construction material in statues, monuments, and buildings. Some famous examples are the Lincoln Memorial, the Supreme Court building, the Taj Mahal. and the Washington Monument.
Image result for real marble staircaseImage result for marble countertopIt can also be used for more decorative/aesthetic purposes such as counter tops, shower walls, and staircases. I don't have marble counter tops or anything in my humble college apartment, but I'm pretty sure there is some being used in the Spori building, so I will try to get over there and take some pictures. One way to test if a rock is marble is if it effervesces. If it is marble, it should. However, if it is sealed, I'm not sure if this test would work. Overall, marble is a very versatile metamorphic rock that is used frequently in construction.

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