As temperature and pressure increase with depth in the Earth, what typically changes?

The increase in temperature and pressure with depth in the Earth primarily affects the properties of rocks and minerals. As depth increases, the intense pressure and higher temperatures lead to changes in physical properties, such as density, strength, and thermal conductivity. Additionally, minerals can undergo transformation into different forms through processes like metamorphism, which alters their chemical and physical characteristics.

This change has significant geological implications, such as the formation of metamorphic rocks, which are created under these conditions. Higher temperatures can also facilitate chemical reactions within rocks, affecting their composition and the emergence of new minerals. Understanding how these properties change with depth is crucial for geology and related fields, as it helps scientists interpret the Earth's structure and the processes that shape it over time.