What term describes a strong, parallel alignment of coarse mica flakes and/or of different bands in a metamorphic rock?

Foliation

Explanation:

Foliation usually refers to the alignment and orientation of those minerals such as mica, that are parallel to one another. It is caused due to the extreme pressure exerted by the overlying weight of the rocks, and also at high-temperature conditions. These minerals are oriented directly perpendicular to the direction of stress. The force involved here can be either shear stress or differential pressure.

These foliations are observed in metamorphic rocks such as Slate, Phyllite, Schist, and Gneiss.

Thus, the term foliation describes the strong and parallel arrangement of coarser flakes of mica. These occur in the form of bands.