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3: METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Introduction
Metamorphism - the process of changes in texture and mineralogy of
pre-existing rock due to changes in temperature and/or pressure.
Porosity is reduced.
(1) Foliation
(2) Lineation
(3) Non - foliated or granular
Foliation
Foliation: A broad term referring to the alignment of sheet
- like minerals. Consist of:-
(1) Recrystallization
(2) Formation of new minerals
Recrystallization
Rearrangement of crystal structure of
existing minerals.
(1) Temperature
(2) Pressure
(3) Chemically Active Solution
Temperature
Temperature in crust at a depth of 15 km is approximately 300°C.
Rocks at shallow depths are relatively cold and brittle, so they can
be altered, e.g. fracture or crack when subjected to high pressures.
These solutions which travel through the pores and cracks of the rock add and
remove various ions and molecules as the reactions occur.
In this way new chemical constituents can be brought in contact with mineral
grains so that they may diffuse through the mineral structures during
recrystallization.
Water may also react as solvent to form another mineral and it can be derived
from:
Igneous
Intrusion
Contact metamorphism
Contact metamorphism
Regional metamorphism
The zones of rock alteration are much more extensive (large scale) than
rocks altered under contact metamorphism.
Regional metamorphism must occur deep within the crust, at least at depths
of 10 km or more and is known to be responsible for the forming of mountain
ranges.
For example, kyanite, sillimanite and andalusite have the same chemical
composition but different internal structures.
Regional metamorphism
Regional metamorphism
Dynamic metamorphism
Dynamic metamorphism is produced by variable strain, variable pressure,
variable temperature and high fluid pressure and normally occurs in active fault
zones.
(1) Slaty
(2) Phyllitic
(3) Schistose
(4) Gneissic
Rock name: Phyllite is a foliate metamorphic rock that is made up mainly of very fine-
grained mica.
Rock Texture: Phyllitic Texture. The surface of phyllite is typically lustrous and sometimes
wrinkled
The mineral grains are large enough to be seen by the unaided eye (medium
to coarse grained and coarsely banded metamorphic rock).
The foliation consists of alternate bands of light and dark colored minerals.
Light colored minerals are mainly composed of quartz and feldspar whereas
the dark layers contain biotite, hornblende, augite and other minerals.
Rocks having a schistose foliation form under conditions of high pressures and
medium temperatures.
Rock Name: Gneiss is foliated metamorphic rock that has a banded appearance
and is made up of granular mineral grains.
The grains are also usually of equal size within any particular rock
sample.
Protolith: Limestone
Description: No Foliation due to the homogeneous/uniform nature of the Protolith, Light in color, May have
crystals texture, Commonly White, Will Fizz in Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) because it is composed of CaCo3
Quartzite
Rock Texture: Non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms through recrystallization under conditions of high
viscosity and directed pressure.
Rock Composition: It is composed primarily of amphibole and plagioclase, usually with very little quartz.
Hornfels
Rock Texture: is a fine-grained non - foliated metamorphic rock with no specific composition.
Description: It is produced by contact metamorphism. Hornfels is a rock that was "baked" while near a
heat source such as a magma chamber, sill or dike.
Some common igneous and sedimentary rocks and their metamorphic equivalent
Foliated metamorphic rocks are named according to their type of foliation and any visible
minerals which may be present.
A rock with a schistose foliation and containing significant proportions of garnets and micas
might be called garnet-mica schist.
A rock with a gneissic foliation and containing the same minerals as granite may be called a
granitic gneiss.
Some low-grade metamorphic rocks are named by adding the prefix "meta" to the flame of their
protolith. For example, a meta-conglomerate is the low grade metamorphic equivalent of a
conglomerate.
Other metamorphic rocks are named on the basis of mineral composition. Marble is a
metamorphic rock composed almost entirely of calcite or dolomite.
Quartzite can be distinguished from quartz sandstone by the fact that quartzite breaks through
grains while quartz sandstone breaks between grains.
Engineering in Metamorphic Rock Terrains
Q & A
Slaty Outcrop
An Outcrop of Schist