Metamorphic
Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphism:
The transition of one rock into another in the solid
state under conditions unlike those under which it
formed
Metamorphic rocks are produced from:
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Other metamorphic rocks
Agents of Metamorphism
Heat- The most important agent
Recrystallization results in new, stable
minerals
Two sources of heat
Contact metamorphism – heat from magma
Regional Metamorphism - increase in
temperature with depth due to the
geothermal gradient
Agents of Metamorphism
Pressure
Increases with depth
Confining pressure applies forces equally in
all directions
Rocks may also be subjected to differential
stress which is unequal in different directions
and causes deformation
Agents of Metamorphism
Pressure
Types of Metamorphism
Contact
metamorphism
From
Understanding
Earth, Press and
Siever. Freeman.
Types of Metamorphism
Regional metamorphism
Metamorphic Textures
Foliation - any planar arrangement of features
within a rock
Foliation can form in various ways:
Rotation of platy and/or elongated minerals
Recrystallization of minerals in the direction
of preferred orientation
Changing the shape of equidimensional
grains into elongated shapes that are aligned
Metamorphic Textures
Foliation can form in various ways:
Metamorphic Textures
Foliated textures
Slaty cleavage
Closely spaced planar surfaces along which
rocks split
Metamorphic Rocks
Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
Slate: compact, very fine-
grained, metamorphic rock
with a well-developed
cleavage. Freshly cleaved
surfaces are dull
a
Phyllite: a rock with a
schistosity in which very fine
phyllosilicates
(sericite/phengite and/or
chlorite), although rarely b
coarse enough to see unaided,
impart a silky sheen to the
foliation surface. Phyllites
with both a foliation and
lineation are very common.
Metamorphic Textures
Foliated textures
Schistosity
Platy minerals are discernible with the
unaided eye and exhibit a planar or layered
structure
Rocks having this texture are referred to as
schist
Metamorphic Rocks
Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
Schist: a metamorphic rock
exhibiting a schistosity. By
this definition schist is a
broad term, and slates and
phyllites are also types of
schists. In common usage,
schists are restricted to those
metamorphic rocks in which
the foliated minerals are
coarse enough to see easily in
hand specimen.
Metamorphic Textures
Foliated textures
Gneissosity
During higher grades of metamorphism, ion
migration results in the segregation of
minerals into layers
Gneissic rocks exhibit a distinctive banded
appearance
Metamorphic Rocks
Foliated
Metamorphic
Rocks
Gneiss: a metamorphic rock
displaying gneissose
structure. Gneisses are
typically layered (also called
banded), generally with
alternating felsic and darker
mineral layers. Gneisses may
also be lineated, but must
also show segregations of
felsic-mineral-rich and dark-
mineral-rich concentrations.
Metamorphic Textures
Metamorphic rocks that lack foliation are
referred to as non-foliated
Develop in environments where
deformation is minimal
And/or composed of minerals that
exhibit equidimensional crystals
General name is granofels
Metamorphic Rocks
Specific Metamorphic Rock Types
Marble: a metamorphic rock composed
predominantly of calcite or dolomite. The protolith
is typically limestone or dolostone.
Metamorphic Rocks
Specific Metamorphic Rock Types
Quartzite: a metamorphic rock composed
predominantly of quartz. The protolith is typically
sandstone.
