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Metamorphic Rocks Handout

The lecture covers the formation and classification of metamorphic rocks, which occur below the Earth's surface due to heat, pressure, and chemically-active fluids. It distinguishes between foliated and non-foliated rocks and discusses common minerals and textures associated with each type. Additionally, it outlines different metamorphic environments and the concept of metamorphic grade, along with examples of specific metamorphic rocks and their parent rocks.

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valeria li
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4 views2 pages

Metamorphic Rocks Handout

The lecture covers the formation and classification of metamorphic rocks, which occur below the Earth's surface due to heat, pressure, and chemically-active fluids. It distinguishes between foliated and non-foliated rocks and discusses common minerals and textures associated with each type. Additionally, it outlines different metamorphic environments and the concept of metamorphic grade, along with examples of specific metamorphic rocks and their parent rocks.

Uploaded by

valeria li
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Metamorphic Rocks Lecture

Student Learning Objectives:


➢ Know how metamorphic rocks form
➢ Be able to identify and name 6 (or so) common metamorphic rocks
➢ Recognize and understand textures that differentiate foliated and non-foliated rocks
➢ Be able to identify and name the minerals common in the metamorphic rocks.
➢ Be able to interpret and describe the metamorphic environments of each of the common
metamorphic rocks.

Main Points:
• Where metamorphic rocks form → always below the Earth's surface.
• meta rx process → Form by changes in mineral composition and texture within the solid state of pre-
existing rocks deep within the Earth by heat, pressure and chemically-active fluids
o Occur below the surface of the Earth
o Heat, pressure, or chemically-active fluids
o Changes in the solid state (without melting) – previous existing minerals become
unstable and reform into new minerals.
o Create new minerals and/or textures
• Types of metamorphic rocks - Two general kinds
▪ Foliated – alignment of minerals and or “banding”
▪ Weakly foliated-(e.g. greenstone and serpentine)
▪ Non-foliated – interlocking crystals, no banding
• Metamorphic rocks are described by texture and composition
o Texture – refers to foliation or non-foliation.
o Composition – what it is made of, dominate minerals. Commonly micas and garnets

• Metamorphic Environments:
o Contact metamorphism (high temp, low pressure---cooked by magma—non foliated)
o Regional metamorphism (high pressure and temp---deep burial---foliated)
o Hydrothermal metamorphism (hot, ion-rich fluids---mid-ocean ridge—weakly foliated)

• Interpretation of metamorphic environments and processes


o Metamorphic grade - indicates formation during increasing temperature and pressure
o Slate phyllite schist gneiss
low grade ---------------------→ high grade
o Accessory minerals common in schists are micas (biotite and muscovite), garnet
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
Texture Rock Name Grain size Description Parent rock
Slate Very fine Excellent rock cleavage, Shale
smooth dull surfaces
Phyllite Fine Breaks along wavy Slate
surfaces, glossy sheen
Foliated

Schist Med – coarse Mica minerals dominate, Phyllite


scaly foliation. Garnet is
common accessory
mineral
Gneiss Med – coarse Compositional banding Schist, granite,
from segregation of or volcanic
minerals rocks
Marble Fine to coarse Interlocking calcite Limestone
crystals, will not scratch
Nonfoliated

glass, impurities can


produce various shades
Quartzite Fine to coarse Fused quartz grains, Quartz
massive, very hard (will sandstone
scratch glass), Fe impurity
can produce reddish
shades.
hornfels Fine grained dark variable

skarn Coarse grade Calcareous


silicate rock

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