Note 2 — THE ROCKS AND THEIR HISTORY

Metamorphic rocks are either sedimentary (this, a third major family of rocks which is characterized by a layered appearance that has been retained by many of the altered park rocks) or igneous rocks (the granite) which have been under the influence of pressure, heat, and chemically active fluids, oftentimes resulting in chemical and structural changes. Most of the metamorphic rocks seen in the park are either schist, phyllite, slate or quartzite. For the benefit of the more advanced student, the rocks of the park area are considered a granite-hornfels complex (see Bertram G. Woodland’s paper of 1963, “A Petrographic study of Thermally Metamorphosed Pelitic rocks in the Burke Area, Northeastern Vermont,” in the American Journal of Science, volume 261, pages 354 to 375).