* Pressure: The deeper you go underground, the more rock is above you. This immense weight creates immense pressure on the rocks below, pushing them together.
* Heat: The Earth's core is extremely hot, and this heat radiates outwards. The deeper the rock, the hotter it will be.
These two factors can cause significant changes in the rock:
* Metamorphism: The intense pressure and heat can cause rocks to transform into different types of rock. This is called metamorphism.
* Deformation: The pressure can cause rocks to fold, bend, or fracture. This is called deformation.
While other forces like gravity and tectonic movement also play a role, pressure and heat are the most significant forces impacting rocks deep underground.