METAMORPHIC
PETROLOGY
METAMORPHISM
The word "Metamorphism" comes from the
Greek word which is formed of two words :
meta = change, morph = form.
So metamorphism is defined as a process or
phenomenon by which the existing rocks
are modified texturally, structurally and
minerlogically, under the influence of factors
such as heat, pressures, and hot chemically
active fluids such as water” under the solid
phase only.
Physical changes are reflected such as
changes produced in textures whereas
chemical changes produce the formation
of new minerals thus giving rise to new
rocks called metamorphic rocks. E.g.
Granite which is an igneous rock, on
metamorphism produces a metamorphic
rock called Gneiss.
VAROUS PROCESS OF
METAMORPHISM
1) PROGRESSIVE METAMORPHISM:
If there is a change from lower degree of
metamorphism towards higher degree of
metamorphism. E.g Shale to slate
2) RETROGRESSIVE METAMORPHISM:
If there is a change from higher degree
metamorphism to lower degree metamorphism.
E.g Slate to shale
LOCAL METAMORPHISM:
When the metamorphism takes place over
small and limited area, then it is called
local metamorphism.
REGIONAL METAMORPHISM:
When the metamorphism covers large
area then it is known as regional
metamorphism.
AGENTS OF
METAMORPHISM
Heat:
Heat involved in metamorphism comes from two sources:
(i) Heat from interior of the earth which increases with depth
and produces metamorphism at large scale.
(ii) Heat comes from the intrusions of magma causes local
metamorphism
The first source of heat i.e. interior of earth provides very
potent agent at sufficient depths while second source i.e.
heat from intrisive magmas produces metamorphism to
limited scale.
Pressure:
Rocks are subjected to two types of pressures:
(i) Static Pressure:
It is the vertical pressure caused by the over-burden
below which particular rock is buried.
(ii) Dynamic or lateral pressure -
It is caused by the earth movements during
orogenic or mountain building period. These dynamic
pressures create shearing stress which produce
changes in rocks.
Chemically active fluids:
Earth contains entrapped liquids and gases
within their pores. When this liquid is
very high temperature it becomes
chemically active and act as a solvent
slowly transferring mineral matter from
one point to another causes
recrystallization of the rock minerals,
forming new minerals.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF
METAMORPHISM
Depending upon the agent of metamorphism, the
metamorphism is divided into 5 types :
1) Thermal metamorphism:
All those metamorphic processes in which heat is the
chief agent and pressure & active fluids play secondary
role are included under thermal metamorphism. The
most important type of thermal metamorphism is called
contact metamorphism. By contact metamorphism is
meant the metamorphic changes produced by intrusive
magmas in contact with other rocks.
2) Dynamic Metamorphism:
All those metamorphic processes in which
local pressure caused by earth movements
is the dominating agent of metamorphism
and heat and fluids play secondary role
are included under dynamic
metamorphism. This type of
metamorphism may result in the
production of folds, joints, faults etc.
3) Dynamothermal metamorphism:
All those metamorphic processes in which lateral
pressure and heat are the dominating factors and
fluids play secondary role are included under
dynamothermal metamorphism. This type of
metamorphism may result in the intense folding
accompanied by complete recrystallisation and
formation of new minerals
4) Plutonic Metamorphism:
All those metamorphic processes in which
static pressure and heat both are chief
agents for metamorphic changes are
included under plutonic metamorphism.
Such metamorphic changes occur in deep
seated regions.
5) Metasomatism:
All the rocks in which chemically active
fluids are the agent of metamorphism are
included under metasomatism. When the
rocks are attacked by chemically active
liquids then it is known as hydro-thermal
metamorphism.
ROCK CYCLE
TEXTURES OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS
1) Foliated rocks: The rocks which show banding
and regrouping of its mineral constituents are called
foliated rocks. Ex: Slate, Phyllite, Schist and Gneiss.
GNESISS PHYLLITE
II) Non-Foliated Rocks: The rocks which doesn’t
show banding and regrouping of minerals are
known as non-foliated rocks.
E.g. Marble, quartzite etc.
MARBLE QUARTZITE
IMPORTANT METAMORPHIC
ROCKS
GNEISS:
Gneiss is a banded or layered
metamorphic rock, whether originally
Igneous (granite) or sedimentary
(conglomerate) origin. The grains are
visible naked eye with contrasting colors,
texture and composition. Thickness of
beds may vary from a composition same
as granite. Gneiss vary in color from
white to black through various shades.
GNEISS
SCHIST:
Schists are crystalline foliated metamorphic
rocks in which the minerals are visible
through the naked eye. The rock is mainly
platy or flaky minerals like mica, chlorite,
hornblende, sillimanite, kyanite and talc
etc. Schist have tendency to split readily
along its bands but they break with irregular
surfaces.
MICA
CHLORITE SCHIST
PHYALLITE:
Phyallites are formed in the second or
intermediate stage of metamorphism. So we
can say that Phyallites are intermediate stage
of metamorphism. Shale and slate to
phyallite means second stage of
metamorphism. Third stage is phyallite. to
mica schist. These are generally fine-grained
rocks with prominently developed foliations.
PHYALLITE
THANK YOU
Presented By-:
SANSKAR SRIVASTAVA
