Final answer:
The statement that most metamorphic rocks form close to the surface is false because these rocks require high temperatures and pressures typically found deep within the Earth, which become exposed due to erosion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most metamorphic rocks form close to the surface is false. Metamorphic rocks undergo transformation due to intense heat and pressure conditions that are typically found deep within the Earth, often associated with tectonic plate boundaries and mountain-building processes. For example, during the continental collision, high-grade metamorphic rocks are produced at significant depths, and these rocks only become exposed at the surface through prolonged processes of uplift and erosion. Such geological phenomena are rare near the Earth's surface, where heat and pressure are insufficient for metamorphism on a large scale.
Metamorphic rocks are formed by the alteration of pre-existing rocks through the recrystallization of minerals under subsolidus conditions or by being chemically altered by hot, chemically reactive fluids. A metamorphic rock's properties, such as mineral content and texture, provide information on the conditions of temperature and pressure during its formation.
To expose deeper, high-grade metamorphic rocks, overlying material must be removed. This is accomplished through erosion, particularly in active mountain ranges where the forces of weathering work to break down and remove rocks from the surface.