Regional metamorphism takes place over large areas of Earth's surface where tectonic plates crash together, pushing up mountain ranges. The metamorphic processes typically happen between temperatures of 350-650 degrees C (660-1,200 degrees F) and at depths of 5-20 km (3-12 miles). High pressures from these enormous collisions cause the rocks to recrystallize and the new mineral grains align into an arrangement like a layer cake, or a sponge when it is squeezed; that texture is called foliation. Low-grade metamorphic rocks, like slate, split easily into sheets. High-grade metamorphic rocks, like gneiss, may be foliated but do not break into sheets.

Geologists use the phrase metamorphic grade to describe the degree of metamorphism a rock has experienced. The higher the temperature and pressure the rock has experienced over time, the more its metamorphic grade increases. For example, metamorphism can change mudstone, originally a fine-grained sedimentary rock, into smooth-textured slate, which splits easily into thin sheets. Over time, the slate will become phyllite, a metamorphic rock that breaks into thick slabs. If metamorphism continues, phyllite turns into schist, which is considered a medium-grade metamorphic rock, and eventually into gneiss (pronounced "nice"), a high-grade metamorphic rock. Once the rock starts to melt under still higher temperatures, it becomes a migmatite, and when it melts completely, it turns into magma which ultimately hardens into igneous rock.