Unit 3 - Rock Types

Metamorphic Rocks

Basic Rock Classifications

Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic

Metamorphic Rocks Pages 193 - 198

Metamorphism means to change form and take
thousands to millions of years to complete.
During this change, minerals in the rocksflow in solid
state (i.e. NO MELTING) and can change on the atomic
scale.
Three metamorphic agents cause rocks to change,
which include:
1) increased heat (i.e. temperature)
2) increased pressure

3 Agents Causing Metamorphism

pg. 193
1. Heat
- drives chemical reactions that
transform minerals into new forms
- can be supplied by lava, magma
or by radioactive decay of isotopes at
great depth
- main agent responsible for
contact metamorphism

3 Agents Causing Metamorphism

pg. 193
2. Pressure/stress
- The weight of the material around the
rock, causes compressional forces
- reduces porosity (spaces) and volume
of the rock
- occurs mainly during regional
metamorphism

3 Agents Causing Metamorphism

pg.
193
3. Chemically Active
Fluids
mainly water which dissolves ions

allows movement of mineral grains allowing

the rock to recrystallize
produces new minerals in the rock.
Needed in both contact and regional
metamorphism

Metamorphic Textures
The degree (Amount) of metamorphism is
reflected in the rocks texture and mineralogy.
Two textures are formed as a result of
metamorphism, which include:
1) Foliated Texture
2) Non-foliated Texture

Metamorphic Textures
1) Foliated Texture
When the minerals in the rock form a banded
or layered appearance.
Results when the minerals of a rock are
brought into parallel alignment during
recrystallization.
Examples: slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss

Foliated Texture
Process:
Unequal pressure results in the distortion of
rock
The orientation of these minerals is usually
perpendicular to the compressional forces.
This gives the resulting metamorphic rock a
layered or banded (foliated) appearance.

Metamorphic Textures
2) Non - Foliated Texture
These metamorphic rocks are harder,
denser, more crystalline, have new minerals
but are very similar to parent rock
Rocks have uniform sized crystals with no
visible foliation.
Examples: quartzite, and marble.

Non - Foliated Texture

Process:
Pressure is in all directions and forms larger,
more dense crystals.
the pressure pushes the minerals into
smallest volume with no change in shape
The minerals formed are uniform sized
crystals with no visible foliation.

Types and grades of Metamorphism

There can be different grades of metamorphism
depending on the amount of change due to the
metamorphic agents.
1) Low-grade Metamorphism
Rocks are subjected to small changes in temperatures
and pressures, which result in slight changes to the
rock.
Example: Shale changes to form slate.

Shale Slate

Types and grades of Metamorphism

2) High-Grade Metamorphism
When rocks are subjected to extreme
temperatures and pressures, which result in
large changes to the rock.
i.e. close to where the rocks melt; however,
there is no melting,
Example: Shale to Gneiss, and Granite to

Slate Phylite

Phylite Shist

Shist Gneiss

Granite Gneiss

Two types of Metamorphism

1) mountain building: regional
metamorphism
2) The intrusion of molten material: contact
metamorphis
m

1. Contact Metamorphism
- changes in rock caused by heat from a
nearby magma body
- rocks immediately surrounding an igneous
body are cooked and altered from their
original state.
- Found below lava, near magma bodies,
dykes and sills

Limestone Marble

Sandstone Quartzite

Buried lava flow or intrusive bed?

We can tell by the location of contact metamorphism

2. Regional Metamorphism pg.

- Occurs with large scale mountain building.
201

- Occurs over a large geographical area due to

massive plate collisions deforming the land.
- the crust is squeezed horizontally creating
stress
- happens with:
increased temperature
increased pressure (mainly)

- Example: Shale to Gneiss

Core Lab 3 Metamorphic

Concept Map for rocks
Rocks
Unit

3 Test Minerals
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic