METAMORPHIC ROCKS
These are rocks formed as a result of solid – state transformations of pre – existing rocks under
conditions of high temperature, high pressure and or a changed chemical environment.
Temperature may be up to about 500 Mpa (MPa stands for Mega Pascals) this is equivalent to
about 5,000 atmospheres of pressure, at 20 km depth.
The type of metamorphic rocks produced depends on the original rock material that was
metamorphosed and the temperature and pressure conditions which were imposed.
Definition of Metamorphism
The word "Metamorphism" comes from the Greek: Meta = change, Morph = form, so
metamorphism means to change form. In geology this refers to the changes in mineral
assemblage and texture that result from subjecting a rock to pressures and temperatures different
from those under which the rock originally formed.
TYPES OF METAMORPHISM
There are two major types of metamorphism. These are:
Local Metamorphism.
Regional Metamorphism.
Each of these major categories is subdivided according to setting, as follows:
Local Metamorphism
1. Contact Metamorphism
This is when the metamorphic rocks are found adjacent and clearly related to an igneous body
when intrudes cool country rocks. The most common rocks found in this type of metamorphism
are nonfoliated rocks: marble when igneous rocks intrude limestone; quartzite when quartz
sandstone is metamorphosed.
2. Dynamic Metamorphism
This is when the metamorphism is associated with a zone of strong deformation, as adjacent to a
fault or in a shear zone.
3. Impact Metamorphism
This is when the metamorphism is associated with the impact upon Earth of an extraterrestrial
body. The sudden impact of a large extraterrestrial body results in brief but extremely high
pressures.
Region al Metamorphism
1. Orogenic Metamorphism
This is when the metamorphic rocks are found associated with orogenic zones of subduction and
mountain building.
2. Oceanic Metamorphism
This is found extensively in the oceanic crust, because the repeated injection of basic magmas at
oceanic spreading ridges, with accompanying circulation of heated seawater, causes
metamorphism of newly – formed crust before it moves away from the oceanic ridge.
3. Burial Metamorphism
That found in the lower parts of thick sedimentary basin sequences, where the rocks have been
buried to sufficient depths to cause the genesis of minerals which are only stabilized at
temperatures and pressures greater than those found near the surface.
METAMORPHISM OF DIFFERENT ROCKS
Limestone → marble: by recrystallization of calcite.
Sandstone → quartzite: by recrystallization of quartz.
Basalt → greenstone: by limited growth of new green minerals.
Granite shows little change: stable in metamorphic conditions.
Clay (and rock mixtures) → hornfels, slate, schist or gneiss: depending on type and grade of
metamorphism.
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks are classified according to their texture. Metamorphic rocks have either a
foliated texture or a nonfoliated texture. Rocks with foliated texture have parallel bands of
minerals. Rocks without mineral bands are nonfoliated.
Foliated Rocks
Foliated rocks can form in one of two ways. Extreme pressure may flatten the mineral crystals in
the original rock and push them into parallel bands. Foliation also occurs as minerals of different
densities separate into bands, producing a series of alternating dark and light bands.
Nonfoliated Rocks
Nonfoliated metamorphic rocks do no have bands of crystals. One common nonfoliated rock is
quartzite, which forms when sandstone is metamorphosed. During metamorphism, heat and
pressure cause the grains to recrystallize so that spaces between them disappear.
MAIN METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Name Grain main minerals structure strength
Hornfels Fine mica, quartz, clay Uniform Very strong
minerals
Slate Fine mica, quartz, clay Cleavage Low shear,
minerals high flexural
Schist Coarse mica, quartz Schistosity Very low
shear
Gneiss Coarse quartz, feldspar, foliation Strong
mafics, mica
Metamorphic Rocks
Foliation Grain Size Hardness Color Other Rock Name
Foliated Fine Soft Dark "tink" when struck Slate
Foliated Fine Soft Dark shiny; crinkly foliation Phyllite
mixed "salt &
Foliated coarse Hard often has large crystals Schist
pepper"
Foliated coarse Hard Mixed Banded Gneiss
Foliated coarse Hard Mixed distorted "melted" layers Migmatite
Foliated coarse Hard Dark mostly hornblende Amphibolite
dense; garnet and
nonfoliated coarse Hard red and green Eclogite
pyroxene
nonfoliated coarse soft Light fizzes with acid (calcite) Marble
no fizzing with acid
nonfoliated coarse Hard Light Quartzite
(quartz)
coarse or
nonfoliated Hard Dark dull and opaque colors Hornfels
fine