Module 8
Metamorphic Rocks
METAMORPHIC ROCKS Metamorphic rocks are changed rocks The protolith (the parent rock) is the preexisting rock from which the metamorphic rock was formed They are formed in the solid state in response to the following principal agents of metamorphism: Change in pressure Change in temperature Change in pressure and temperature
Rocks Cycle
Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphisme
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Metamorphism may cause a change in a rocks: Structure/Texture Mineral assemblage Composition (slightly) All of the above
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
1. 2. 3. 4.
Protolith Composition Pressure Temperature Time
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
1. Protolith Composition Mafic protoliths (basalt, diabase, and gabbro) yield a dark charcoal gray mafic metamorphic rock called amphibolite Felsic protoliths (granite, rhyolite, mudstone, sandstone, conglomerate, breccia) yield light colored tan, silver, light to medium gray, etc. felsic metamorphic rocks
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
2. Pressure (stress) Increasing pressure flattens grains, crushes grains (reduces size), causes shearing Confining pressure, associated with depth of burial, is equal in all directions Differential pressure is not equal in all directions Produces foliation (parallel alignment of grains) Pure shear = compression, flattens grains Simple shear = skewing, stretches grains, produces lineation, aligns elongate grains in direction of transport
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
Confining Pressure
Pressure is equal in all directions
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
Differential Pressure Differential pressure Is not equal in all directions Leads to formation of foliation by either Pure shear (flattening) Simple shear (skewing)
Pure shear (flattening)
Simple shear (skewing)
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
Type of foliation Slaty Cleavage Alignment of small mica flakes Schistosity Alignment of large mica flakes Gneissic Banding segregation of felsic and mafic minerals into alternating light and dark bands
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
Foliation: Development of Slaty Cleavage
Bedding is perpendicular to cleavage at the top and bottom of the fold
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
Foliation: Development of Schistosity
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Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
Foliation: Formation of Gneissic Banding
Factors That Control the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
3. Temperature Increasing temperature causes increased movement of ions which in turn causes Mineral grains to grow larger Minerals to recrystallize The upper limit on T for metamorphism is partial melting 4. Time Metamorphic reactions and textural changes require millions of years to occur
Index Minerals of Metamorphic Rocks
Index Minerals Chlorite Biotite Almandite (garnet) Staurolite Andalusite Kyanite Sillimanite Not specific Quartz Plagioclase Orthoclase Biotite Muscovite Hornblende Calcite Dolomite
Metamorphic Facies
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
1. Regional metamorphic rocks Form in response to increased temperature and directed pressure along plate boundaries Are foliated Were sheared by pure shear or simple shear 2. Local metamorphic rocks Form in response to contact with magma at high T and /or high confining P Found adjacent to igneous intrusions Are usually unfoliated
Where do the metamorphic rocks form?
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
Formation of Contact Metamorphic Rocks
Formation of Regional Metamorphic Rocks
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
Regional metamorphic rocks Contact metamorphic rocks
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
Formation of Contact Metamorphic Rocks
Protolith and Metamorphic Rocks
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
A. Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
Are formed by differential pressure (pure shear, simple shear) Slate Dull, microscopic grains, strong slaty cleavage, any color, mudstone protolith Phyllite Shiny, strongly micaceous with microscopic grains, strong schistosity, cleavage, can be mafic or felsic, any rock-type protolith Schist Shiny, strongly micaceous, fine to medium grained, strong schistosity, cleavage, any color, any rock-type protolith Gneiss Dull, weakly micaceous, fine to coarse grained, banded, weak cleavage, any rock-type protolith, but most often sheared coarse grained protolith such as granite, conglomerate, breccia Migmatite Dull, weakly micaceous, fine to coarse grained, folded banded texture, weak cleavage, almost melted, any rocktype protolith
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
Slate
Protolith: Fine grained rock like shale, mudstone, or siltstone Appearance: Dull, microscopic grains, strong slaty cleavage, any color
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
Phyllite
Protolith: Can be any rock-type
Appearance: Shiny, strongly micaceous with microscopic grains, has strong schistose cleavage, can be felsic (muscovite-rich, silvery) or Mafic (biotite-rich, shiny medium to dark gray)
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
Schist
Protolith: Can be any rock-type
Appearance: Shiny, strongly micaceous, fine to medium grained has strong schistose cleavage, can be felsic (muscovite-rich, silvery) or mafic (biotite-rich, shiny medium to dark gray)
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
Gneiss
Protolith: Can be any rock-type, but most often formed from a sheared coarse grained protolith such as granite, conglomerate, breccia
Appearance: Dull, weakly micaceous, fine to coarse grained, banded, weak cleavage
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
Migmatite
Protolith: Can be any rock-type
Appearance: Dull, weakly micaceous, fine to coarse grained, folded banded texture, weak cleavage, almost melted, a folded gneiss
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
B. Special Types of Metamorphic Rocks May be foliated or unfoliated
Quartzite Metamorphosed sandstone Harder than marble Will not fizz (release CO2) in the presence of acid
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
B. Special Types of Metamorphic Rocks May be foliated or unfoliated Marble Metamorphosed limestone Contains calcium carbonate Will fizz (release CO2) in the presence of acid Softer than quartzite
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
B. Special Types of Metamorphic Rocks May be foliated or unfoliated Anthracite Metamorphosed bituminous coal Low density Very shiny black
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
B. Special Types of Metamorphic Rocks May be foliated or unfoliated Amphibolite Dull black, fine to coarse grained, weak cleavage if sheared (gneissic) Metamorphosed gabbro, basalt, or diorite
Dark rock composed mostly of amphibole and Ca-Na plagioclase, may be either foliated or unfoliated, often with large (visible) elongated crystals of amphibole