GATE Metamorphic Petrology
In GATE (Geology & Geophysics), the Metamorphic Petrology questions that involve
calculations focus on the quantitative aspects of phase diagrams and P–T–X equilibria,
thermodynamics of mineral reactions, geothermobarometry, and other quantitative aspects of
metamorphic processes.
Study Tips
Understand and memorise the key calibration equations for garnet–biotite, Al-in-
hornblende and others. Practice reading and constructing simple P–T and T-X diagrams. Be
comfortable with unit conversions ( J vs kJ, bar vs kbar vs GPa, mole vs mass %). Drill on plugging
values into ln K or Clausius–Clapeyron formulations. Practice on thermodynamic-equilibrium,
phase-diagram and exchange-equilibrium calculations.
Numerical problems typically focus on the following types:
Calculation of volume percentage of minerals in a metamorphic rock.
Calculation of density of metamorphic rocks.
Estimation of strain rate.
Calculation of metamorphic reactions.
Calculation of metamorphic grade using geothermobarometry.
Determination of metamorphic facies using mineral assemblages and P-T conditions.
Determination of metamorphic index minerals and their corresponding PT conditions.
Estimation of metamorphic P and T conditions [geobarometry & geothermometry].
Estimating geothermal gradients from reaction depths/temperatures, or vice versa.
Problems related to the heat flow and thermal gradients in metamorphic terrains.
Problem related topics
[Link] Diagrams
Interpretation of phase diagrams, including understanding the stability fields of minerals.
Calculating the proportions of different phases in a metamorphic rock based on phase diagrams.
Reading P–T phase diagrams (Al2SiO5 polymorph triple point) to identify stability fields.
Using the lever rule on univariant curves (T-X or P-X sections) to compute modal proportions of
coexisting phases.
Constructing or interpreting projection diagrams (AFM, AKFM, Fe–Mg–Mn ternaries).
Determination of stability fields of minerals in a pressure-temperature diagram [for a P-T diagram,
identify the conditions under which garnet, sillimanite, and kyanite are stable].
Reaction progress and phase equilibria : determination of progress of metamorphic reactions
and the changes in mineral assemblages as a function of temperature, pressure, or other variables.
Construct and interpret phase diagrams (P-T, T-X, P-X) for metamorphic systems and use
them to infer the conditions of metamorphism.
Applying thermodynamic principles to calculate changes in Gibbs free energy during
metamorphic processes.
2. Calculation of mineral assemblages and modal compositions
Calculating the bulk composition of metamorphic rocks based on the mineral assemblages
present. Problems involving the use of mineral formulas to determine the proportions of elements in
metamorphic minerals.
Given the chemical composition of a metamorphic rock, determine the stable mineral
assemblage and calculate the modal (volume) percentages of the minerals.
Perform calculations involving the Schreinemakers' rule to determine the stable mineral
assemblages in a metamorphic system.
Balancing metamorphic reactions and calculating the changes in mineral composition during
metamorphism. Understanding and applying the concept of reaction progress and its impact on
mineral stability.
Determine the progress and rate of metamorphic reactions, such as the dehydration of
minerals or the growth of porphyroblasts.
3. Geothermometry and Geobarometry
Problems involving the calculation of pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions during
metamorphism. Using geothermometers and geobarometers to estimate the temperature and
pressure of metamorphic environments.
Calculation of temperature and pressure conditions of metamorphism using
geothermometers and geobarometers, [use the garnet-biotite geothermometer to estimate the
temperature of metamorphism].
Estimating temperature and pressure conditions of metamorphism using various
geothermobarometric techniques: calculation of temperature from the composition of minerals
(garnet-biotite, garnet-clinopyroxene).
Calculation of pressure from the composition of minerals (Al-in-hornblende, garnet-
aluminosilicate-plagioclase-quartz). Garnet–biotite Fe–Mg exchange thermometer: Calculating K D
and solving for T using a calibration equation.
Other common thermometers (Ti-in-quartz, garnet-plagioclase, chlorite-epidote). Al-in-
hornblende or garnet-clinopyroxene geobarometers: computing pressure from measured mineral
compositions via empirical or semi-empirical calibrations.
Estimating pressure from the appearance/disappearance of index minerals (Ca-content of
amphibole, AlVI in garnet).
4. Metamorphic facies
Determine the metamorphic facies (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite) based on the mineral
assemblages and the estimated temperature and pressure conditions.
Identification of metamorphic facies based on mineral assemblages [determine the
metamorphic facies of a rock containing garnet, staurolite, and kyanite].
5. Metamorphic Grade & Index Minerals
Determination of metamorphic grade based on the presence of index minerals. Identifying
and calculating the stability of index minerals and their significance in determining metamorphic
grades.
Estimation the metamorphic grade (low, medium, high) based on the presence and
composition of metamorphic index minerals [identify the metamorphic grade of a rock containing
chlorite, biotite, and garnet].
6. Geochronology
Problems involving radiometric dating techniques to determine the age of metamorphic
events. Understanding the implications of isotopic ratios in metamorphic processes.
7. Fluid Inclusions
Analyzing fluid inclusion data to estimate the conditions of metamorphism. Calculating the
salinity and density of fluids trapped in metamorphic minerals.
8. Calculation of metamorphic textures and microstructures
Interpret the formation and evolution of metamorphic textures and microstructures, such as
foliation, lineation, porphyroblasts, and mineral zoning.
9. Thermodynamics of Metamorphic Reactions
Using ΔG° = ΔH° – T·ΔS° to determine the equilibrium temperature (or to check whether a
reaction is spontaneous under given conditions).
Applying the Clausius–Clapeyron equation (dP/dT = ΔS/ ΔV) to calculate the slope of a
reaction boundary or estimate P changes for a given T change.
Computing reaction equilibrium constants K from ΔG°, and vice versa.
Given molar volumes of reactants and products, compute ΔV, then relate ΔV to P–T shifts
via dP/dT or calculate density contrasts.
10. Pseudosections and Bulk‐Rock Compositional Calculations
From a given bulk‐rock (XRF) composition, calculate the proportions of mineral phases at
specified P–T using Gibbs energy minimization software outputs (reading pseudosections).
Simple mass-balance or stoichiometric calculations: adding H 2O to normalize a rock to 100
wt % volatile-free, computing normative mineral modes.
-----------------
Example Problems
a. At what temperature does the reaction chlorite + quartz → garnet + muscovite + H 2O become
spontaneous at 5 kbar? Given ΔH° = 150 kJ, ΔS° = 130 J/K.
b. Given XFe and XMg in coexisting garnet and biotite, compute KD and calculate the metamorphic
temperature using the calibration ln KD = 2.35 – 6000/T.
c. On an Al2SiO5 phase diagram, find the pressure of andalusite–sillimanite equilibrium at 650 °C.
Use dP/dT = 0.002 kbar/K and know that at 550 °C the reaction is at 2 kbar.
d. In a garnet–plagioclase geobarometer, the pressure is given by P (kbar) = 4.5 + 0.8·X Al in garnet –
0.5·An in plagioclase. If XAl = 0.06 and An = 0.4, what is P?.
-----------------------------
Problem: Write and balance chemical reactions for metamorphic processes.
Example: Balance the reaction for the breakdown of muscovite to form sillimanite and K-feldspar.
Problem: Perform mass balance calculations to determine the composition of metamorphic rocks.
Example: Calculate the amount of CO2 released during the decarbonation reaction of calcite to
form dolomite.
Problem: Analyze the sequence of mineral assemblages during prograde and retrograde
metamorphism.
Describe the mineral assemblages that form during the prograde metamorphism of a pelitic rock.
Problem: Use thermodynamic data to calculate the Gibbs free energy changes for metamorphic
reactions.
Calculate the Gibbs free energy change for the reaction of muscovite to form sillimanite and K-
feldspar.
Problem: Calculate the amount of melt produced during partial melting of metamorphic rocks.
Estimate the percentage of melt produced during the anatexis of a pelitic rock.
Problem: Analyze the role of fluids in metamorphic reactions.
Determine the effect of CO2 rich fluids on the stability of calcite in a metamorphic rock.
------------------------------
Example Problem
1. Calculate the temperature of metamorphism using the garnet-biotite geothermometer. Given the
following compositional data:
Garnet: Almandine (Fe3Al2Si3O12) with XFe = 0.7
Biotite: Annite (KFe3AlSi3O10(OH)2) with XFe = 0.6
Use the geothermometer equation:
T (°C) = (3500 / (ln Kd + 1.903)) - 273
where Kd is the distribution coefficient defined as: Kd = (X Fe in garnet) / (XFe in biotite)
Solution
1. Calculate the distribution coefficient (Kd):
Kd = XFe (garnet) / XFe (biotite) = 0.7 / 0.6 ≈ 1.167
2. Plug Kd into the geothermometer equation:
T (°C) = (3500 / (ln(1.167) + 1.903)) - 273
3. Calculate the natural logarithm of Kd:
ln (1.167) ≈ 0.154
4. Substitute the value into the equation:
T (°C) = (3500 / (0.154 + 1.903)) - 273
5. Simplify the equation:
T (°C) = (3500 / 2.057) - 273 ≈ 1703.5 - 273 ≈ 1430.5 °C
This example illustrates how to approach a numerical problem in metamorphic petrology
using a geothermometer.
