Introduction
to Geology
Metamorphism
Metamorphism
The transition of one rock into another by
temperatures and/or pressures unlike those in
which it formed
Metamorphic rocks originate as
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Other metamorphic rocks
Progresses from low-grade to high-grade
The rock must stay essentially solid
Metamorphism
Metamorphic settings
Contact or thermal metamorphism driven by
a rise in temperature within the host rock
Hydrothermal metamorphism chemical
alterations from hot, ion-rich water
Regional metamorphism
Occurs during mountain building
Produces the greatest volume of metamorphic
rock
Rocks usually display zones of contact and/or
hydrothermal metamorphism
Agents of metamorphism
Heat
Most important agent
Recrystallization results in new, stable minerals
Ions are freed from the crystalline structure and
migrate
Minerals may be unstable in the new
pressure/temperature regime
Minerals may recrystallize into larger grains
Agents of metamorphism
Two sources of heat
An increase in temperature with depth due to the geothermal
gradient
At ~8km T=150-200C
Clay minerals may recrystallize into chlorite and muscovite
other silicate minerals still stable
Subduction zones
Where?
Deep sedimentary
basins
Where?
Agents of metamorphism
Two sources of heat
Contact metamorphism heat from magma
Host rock is baked
Question
Agents of metamorphism
Pressure and stress
Increases with depth
Confining pressure applies forces equally in all directions
Spaces
between
mineral grains
close
Minerals may
recrystallize
Agents of metamorphism
Pressure and stress
Rocks may also be subjected to differential stress which is unequal in
different directions
Rocks may be shortened in one direction and lengthened in the other
Brittle
deformation =
fracturing
Ductile
deformation =
flow
Mineral grains
flatten and
elongate
Metamorphic Rock Foliation
Question
Agents of metamorphism
Conglomerate Metaconglomerate
Agents of metamorphism
Chemically active fluids
Mainly water with other volatile components
Enhances migration of ions
Aids in recrystallization of existing minerals
Sources of fluids
Pore spaces of sedimentary rocks
Fractures in igneous rocks
Hydrated minerals such as clays and micas
Plutons, subduction zones
Metamorphic textures
Texture refers to the size, shape, and arrangement of mineral
grains
Igneous and most sedimentary rocks have minerals in a
fairly random orientation
Porphyritic granite Conglomerate
Metamorphic textures
Foliation any planar arrangement of mineral
grains or structural features within a rock
Foliation can form in various ways including
Rotation of platy and/or elongated minerals
Fundamental characteristic of regionally metamorphosed rocks
driven by compressional stress
Metamorphic textures
Foliation
Foliation can form in various ways including
Recrystallization of minerals in the direction of preferred
orientation
In shale clay minerals recrystallize into flakes of chlorite and
mica oriented perpendicular to the stress direction
Slate
Metamorphic textures
Foliation
Foliation can form in various ways including
Changing the shape of equidimensional grains into elongated
shapes that are aligned
Occurs in high T environments where the minerals grains can
deform in a ductile fashion
Metamorphic textures
Foliated textures
Rock or slaty cleavage
Closely spaced planar surfaces along which rocks split
Metamorphic textures
Foliated textures
Schistosity
More extreme P-T conditions than slate
Platy minerals have grown and are discernible with the unaided
eye
Exhibit a planar or layered structure
Rocks having this texture are referred to as schist
Schist
From: http://geology.about.com/library/bl/images/blschist.htm
Metamorphic textures
Foliated textures
Gneissic
During higher grades of metamorphism, ion migration results in
the segregation of minerals
Gneissic rocks exhibit a distinctive banded appearance
In this example,
dark biotite and
light silicates
(quartz, feldspar)
have separated
Gneiss
Metamorphic textures
Other metamorphic textures
Nonfoliated
Develop in environments where deformation is minimal
E.g. metamorphism by the intrusion of a magma body
Typically composed of minerals that exhibit equidimensional
crystals
Marble (top) and
limestone
(bottom)
From: http://seis.natsci.csulb.edu/bperry/marblelimestone2.JPG
Question
Metamorphic textures
Other metamorphic textures
Porphyroblastic textures
Large grains, called porphyroblasts, surrounded by a fine-grained
matrix of other minerals
Some metamorphic
minerals develop a
small number of v.
large crystals (e.g.
granet)
Others develop a
large number of v.
small crystals (e.g.
biotite, quartz)
Garnet-mica schist
Question
Common metamorphic rocks
Foliated rocks
Slate
Very fine-grained
Excellent rock cleavage
Most often generated from low-grade metamorphism of shale,
mudstone, or siltstone
From: http://www.blockbuster.es/img/imgvj/388.jpg
Common metamorphic rocks
Foliated rocks
Schist
Medium- to coarse-grained
Platy minerals (mainly
micas) predominate
Smaller amounts of quartz,
feldspar
The term schist describes
the texture
To indicate composition,
mineral names are used
(such as mica schist)
Parent rock is often shale,
but higher degree of The term schist is a texture
metamorphism than slate
Add mineral names to name rock
i.e. garnet-mica schist
Chlorite or talc schists may
originate as basalt
Common metamorphic rocks
Foliated rocks
Gneiss
Medium- to coarse-grained
Banded appearance
High-grade metamorphism
Often composed of white or
light-colored feldspar-rich
layers with bands of dark
ferromagnesian minerals
Most come from granite,
though can also originate as
shale
Question
Low-grade
Increasing Slate metamorphic
Temperature
and Phyllite
Pressure in a
clay-rich Schist
sediment High grade
Gneiss metamorphic
Common metamorphic rocks
Nonfoliated rocks
Marble
Coarse, crystalline
Parent rock was limestone
or dolostone
Composed essentially of
calcite or dolomite crystals
Used as a decorative and
monument stone
Problems?
Exhibits a variety of colors
May contain folded mica
rich layers
Common metamorphic rocks
Nonfoliated rocks
Quartzite
Formed from a parent
rock of quartz-rich
sandstone
Quartz grains are fused
together very strong
Classifying metamorphic rocks
Figure 8.12
Metamorphic environments
Contact or thermal metamorphism
Result from a rise in temperature when magma invades a
host rock
A zone of alteration called an aureole forms in the rock
surrounding the magma
Zone of alteration may be cm to km wide
Width determined by rock type, fluids
Limestone = highly reactive wide zone
Degree of metamorphism may reduce away from
intrusion
Contact metamorphism
Metamorphic environments
Hydrothermal
metamorphism
Chemical alteration
caused when hot, ion-
rich fluids circulate
through fissures and
cracks that develop in
rock
Most widespread along
the axis of the mid-
ocean ridge system
Large amounts of iron,
cobalt, nickel, silver, and
gold may be
precipitated
Metamorphic environments
Regional metamorphism
Produces the greatest quantity of metamorphic rock
Associated with mountain building
Rocks are compressed, folded, faulted, and heated, sometimes to the
point of melting
Question
Metamorphic environments
Other metamorphic environments
Burial metamorphism
Associated with very thick sedimentary strata
Required depth varies depending on the prevailing geothermal
gradient
Low grade metamorphism usually starts at ~8 km depth (T = 100-
200C)
Metamorphism along fault zones
Occurs at depth and high temperatures
Pre-existing minerals deform by ductile flow
Fluids play an important role
Metamorphic environments
Other metamorphic environments
Impact metamorphism
Occurs when meteorites strike Earths surface
Products are called tektites
High P-T
impact
Shock
Meteor crater, AZ
melted ejecta
Metamorphic zones
Systematic variations in the mineralogy and textures of metamorphic rocks
are related to the variations in the degree of metamorphism
Observed
as we move
west
towards the
Appalachian
s
Still shale in
OH, slatey
by PA,
gneissic in
VM & NH
Metamorphic zones
Index minerals and metamorphic grade
Changes in mineralogy occur from regions of low-grade
metamorphism to regions of high-grade metamorphism
This can tell us a lot about the history of a rock
Metamorphic zones
Migmatites
Highest grades of metamorphism that is transitional to igneous rocks
Contain light bands of igneous components along with areas of
unmelted metamorphic rock
Light silicates (quartz, potassium feldspar) melt first
Migmatite
Metamorphism and plate tectonics
Most metamorphism occurs along plate boundaries
