HOW THE EARTH WORKS
WORKING WITH METAMORPHIC ROCKS
As introduced earlier, metamorphic rocks are formed under high heat and pressure, but
not enough to result in melting of the original material. All metamorphic rocks are formed from
previously existing rock material, and one of the intriguing challenges in working with them is to
interpret the nature of the parent rock; that is, the original rock that was subjected to
metamorphism.
In order to work with a metamorphic rock, the mineral composition and the texture of the
rock must be determined. The mineralogy of the rock will help to determine what the parent rock
was and the metamorphic grade as well.
I. Mineral Composition
A. The most common metamorphic rock forming minerals are as follows:
Augite (looks like brownish pyroxene)
Biotite
Calcite
Chlorite (looks like green mica)
Diopside (looks like green pyroxene)
Dolomite
Feldspars
Garnet (red or brownish, usually equant grains)
Hornblende
Muscovite
Quartz
Talc
Review the properties of these minerals if you have forgotten them! B. Use of minerals to
determine metamorphic grade.
Low Grade: chlorite, talc, muscovite, biotite
Medium Grade: hornblende, kyanite, diopside, garnet, staurolite
High Grade: sillimanite, kyanite, orthoclase
2. Metamorphic Texture.
Metamorphic texture includes the grain size of the minerals in the rock as well as its
foliation.
A. Grain size.
As grain size increases, metamorphic grade increases.
FINE MEDIUM COARSE
LOW GRADE HIGH GRADE
B. Texture.
Metamorphic rocks are separated into two types, foliated and nonfoliated.
1. Foliated.--The minerals in these rocks tend to line up in planes or sheets. This may look like
layering, it look like discrete banding of minerals in the rock, or it may be obvious in the
tendency of the rock to split into sheets.
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Gneissic foliation.–This type of foliation is caused by alternating bands of minerals such as
quartz and feldspar alternating with biotite into discrete, segregated bands.
Schistose foliation.–This is caused by parallel or subparallel arrangements of sheet-like or flaky
minerals like micas, chlorite, or talc. The grain size is rather large.
Phyllitic foliation.--–This is caused by parallel or subparallel arrangements of sheet-like or flaky
minerals like micas, chlorite, or talc. The grain size is small, perhaps microscopic.
Slaty foliation.––This is caused by parallel or subparallel arrangements of sheet-like or flaky
minerals like micas, chlorite, or talc. The grains are microscopic in size.
SLATY PHYLLITIC SCHISTOSE GNEISSIC
LOW GRADE HIGH GRADE
FOLIATED ROCK TYPES
Gneiss.–Typical specimens look like layered or banded granite. The minerals are always
separated into distinct layers. Forms from metamorphosed granite or other igneous rocks or
layered rocks.
Schist.–Schists have planar or sheet-like minerals aligned parallel to one another. Schists are
named based upon the most abundant minerals, such as mica schist, biotite schist, talc schist,
garnet schist. Usually forms from mudstones.
Phyllite.–This type of rock is fine grained and has a characteristic metallic sheen and “crinkling”
which are little wrinkles on the surfaces of the rock. Usually forms from mudstones.
Slate.–Slate is the product of the metamorphosis of shale and is sometimes easily confused with
shale. It breaks into very thin layers; this property is called slaty cleavage.
SLATE PHYLLITE SCHIST GNEISS
LOW GRADE HIGH GRADE
NONFOLIATED ROCK TYPES
Quartzite.–Metamorphosed sandstone. Very hard and will exhibit conchoidal fracture like
quartz does. Usually pink, tan, or brown in color.
Marble.–Metamorphosed limestone or dolostone. This rock type will react with acid. Marble is
usually gray or white with darker swirls or splotches.
Metaconglomerate.–Metamorphosed conglomerate. The pebbles often get stretched out into an
oval shape. The material between the pebbles may look like quartzite, phyllite, or schist,
depending on what it is made of.
Skarn.–Metamorphosed limestone that had silicate minerals (usually as sand) in it. This results
in marble with silicate minerals like garnet and diopside.
Granulite–Metamorphosed basalt or other mafic rocks. Medium to coarse grained.
Amphibolite.–Medium to coarse grained metamorphosed mafic rocks; has feldspars.
Hornfels.–Fine grained metamorphosed mafic rocks.
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HOW THE EARTH WORKS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Name ______________________________
You have learned how to observe and classify minerals as well as igneous and sedimentary
rocks. In this lab you will learn how to identify various types of metamorphic rocks.
Metamorphic rocks like slate are economically useful for high-end roofs, and gneiss is a
common facing stone for buildings.
For non-geologists, being able to identify rocks (including building stones) will be useful if
you ever become a building contractor or landscape designer, build or redesign your own house,
collect rocks, or travel to national parks, state parks, or other countries where rocks are part of
the landscape, like Hawaii or Yosemite National Park.
Part I: Rock Classification
A. You will work with 6 samples. Working with 2-4 other students, come up with a
classification scheme for these rocks. You may use any observable properties you wish to
establish your groups, but you must be able to explain and defend them. Upon completion, you
must have more than 1 rock group and less than 6.
B. Answer the following questions.
1. How many rock groups do you have? List them below (by specimen number).
2. How many rock groups does the other team have?
3. What main characteristic(s) did you use to classify your rocks? List for each group you wrote
in #1 above.
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PART 2. Rock Classification. Using the following classification scheme, reclassify the rocks
using the criteria shown in the chart and apply the names for each of the rocks that you
determine.
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Identify the numbered rock samples by filling in the chart below. Some of the columns may not
be relevant to every sample.
Mineral(s) Foliated or If foliated, what Types of Rock Name
Present nonfoliated? type and grade? Metamorphism
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
YOU ONLY HAVE 6 SAMPLES; IGNORE THE
LAST TWO 8.
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PART 3. Metamorphic Map. Due to your demonstrated skill and prowess in rock
identification, you have been asked to construct a geologic map, showing the position of
outcrop of various rocks, most of which are metamorphic. Follow the steps listed below
to complete your map.
1. Plot the data below on the map on the following page using the abbreviations:
• Shale – SH
• Slate – SL
• Chlorite schist – CS
• Biotite schist – BS
• Garnet schist – GS
• Staurolite schist - SS
2. Draw in contacts between different rock groups (isograds) depicting the areas of
differing metamorphic grade.
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3. Make a key to the rock types, assigning each rock type a color.
4. Color the map with the appropriate colors depicting the rock types.
5. Place a large “M” on the map at the probable source area for the metamorphism.
6. Is the metamorphism in this region a result of contact or regional metamorphism?
Justify your answer.
7. Mark the location on the map where it might be best to mine garnets.
8. Give the map a title.
Geologic Field Data:
1. Shale (country rock) 16. Chlorite schist
2. Contact between slate and chlorite 17. Contact between chlorite and biotite
schist. schist
3. Biotite schist 18. Same as 17
4. Garnet schist 19. Slate
5. Contact between shale and slate 20. Contact between chlorite and biotite
6. Contact between slate and chlorite schist
schist 21. Contact between shale and slate
7. Contact between garnet schist and 22. Contact between garnet and
staurolite schist staurolite schist
8. Chlorite schist 23. Contact between slate and chlorite
9. Chlorite schist schist
10. Chlorite schist 24. Contact between chlorite and biotite
11. Contact between shale and slate schist
12. Contact between biotite and garnet 25. Contact between garnet and biotite
schist schist
13. Staurolite schist 26. Contact between garnet and
14. Shale staurolite schist
15. Slate
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