Metamorphic Zones & Grades

Prof. Vinod Agrawal

Department of Geology
M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur
 Metamorphic Zones
• A metamorphic zone is a geographically restricted
group of metamorphic rocks defined by a distinctive
fabric, mineral assemblage, or index mineral that
reflect the metamorphic conditions like
temperature, pressure, or the activity of a particular
component.

• In other word a metamorphic zone is an area

where, as a result of metamorphism, the same
combination of minerals occurs in the bed rocks.
These zones occur because most metamorphic
minerals are only stable in certain intervals of
temperature and pressure.
 Types of Metamorphic Zones
• The type of metamorphic zones in an area are also
determined by the form of metamorphism. This is
dependent on the geodynamic (tectonic and
magmatic) setting in which metamorphism took place.

• The sequence of metamorphic zones is called a

metamorphic facies series, and the most common of
these is Barrovian (called after George Barrow who
first mentioned it in 1912). In this series of zones,
both pressure and temperature increase gradually
along the metamorphic gradient. Barrovian
metamorphism takes place during regional
metamorphism, caused by crustal thickening in the
roots of an orogenic belt (under mountain chains).
Barrovian zones are especially easy to recognize in
pelitic rocks.
• Barrow (1893) while working in the Dalradian series
in the Scottish Highlands, mapped textural and
mineralogical changes in pelitic rocks that he related
to increases in temperature. Texturally he saw the
development of slates to phyllites to mica schists to
gneisses. He noticed that these could also be
related to mineralogical changes that he called
zones:

LOW chlorite zone

biotite zone
garnet zone
staurolite zone
kyanite zone
HIGH sillimanite zone
Chlorite zone. Pelitic rocks are slates or phyllites and
typically contain chlorite, muscovite, quartz and albite
Biotite zone. Slates give way to phyllites and schists,
with biotite, chlorite, muscovite, quartz, and albite
Garnet zone. Schists with red almandine garnet, usually
with biotite, chlorite, muscovite, quartz, and albite or
oligoclase
Staurolite zone. Schists with staurolite, biotite,
muscovite, quartz, garnet, and plagioclase. Some
chlorite may persist
Kyanite zone. Schists with kyanite, biotite, muscovite,
quartz, plagioclase, and usually garnet and staurolite
Sillimanite zone. Schists and gneisses with sillimanite,
biotite, muscovite, quartz, plagioclase, garnet, and
perhaps staurolite. Some kyanite may also be present.
• Each zone is characterized by the appearance of a
new mineral that is easily identified in the field (or in
hand specimen) and is hence called an index
mineral. After a mineral has formed, it may persist
through several higher zones.

• Thus an index mineral is used in geology to

determine the degree of metamorphism of a rock.
When an index mineral is found in a
metamorphosed rock, it indicates the minimum
pressure and temperature the protolith (pre-existing
rock) must have achieved in order for that mineral
to form. For Example in above Barrovian series
each zone is named for the index mineral that
appears in it. e.g. the chlorite zone is named for
chlorite.
• Another metamorphic facies series is the Buchan
series, which is again of regional metamorphism
and characterized by the widespread development
of andalusite and cordierite in metapelitic rocks,
indicating that the conditions of metamorphism
were at lower P than those of the Barrovian Facies.
Once again, the type locality of Buchan
metamorphism is the Dalradian of Scotland.

• The Buchan is characterised by the following

metamorphic zones:
– Cholrite Zone
– Andalusite Zone
– Sillimanite Zone
• Chlorite Zone : chlorite, muscovite, quartz, albite,
ilmenite ±chloritoid or chlorite, muscovite, biotite,
quartz, albite, ilmenite.

• Andalusite Zone : muscovite, biotite, quartz,

oligoclase, garnet, andalusite, ilmenite or
muscovite, biotite, quartz, oligoclase, andalusite,
staurolite, cordierite, ilmenite

• Sillimanite Zone : muscovite, biotite, quartz,

oligoclase, andalusite, staurolite, cordierite, garnet,
sillimanite, k-spar or microcline, biotite, quartz,
oligoclase, garnet, sillimanite, cordierite, magnetite.
Buchan has lower P than those of the Barrovian Facies
 Depth Zones of Metamorphism
• Becke (1903) followed by Niggli (1924) proposed
three depth zones of metamorphism:
– The Upper or Epi-zone
– The Middle or Meso-zone
– The Lower or Kata-zone

• Upper or Epi Zone: It is the zone of low grade

metamorphism where temperature ranges from
100 to 300 degree celcius, pressure is low to
moderate. It is characterised by presence of
hydrous mineral assembladge like sericite, chlorite,
muscovite, biotite, epidote, talc, actinolite etc.
• Middle or Meso Zone: It is the zone of medium
grade metamorphism where temperature ranges
from 300 to 500 degree celcius, pressure is
moderate to high. It occur as depth from 5 to 9
miles. It’s mineral assembladge includes biotite,
andalusite, cordierite, quartz, hypersthene,
almandine, orthoclase etc.

• Lower or Kata Zone: It is the zone of high grade

metamorphism where temperature ranges from 500
to 650 degree celcius, pressure is high. It occur as
depth from 9 to 13 miles. It is characterised by
anhydrous mineral assembladge like alkali felspar,
plagioclse, quartz, garnet, silimanite, kyanite etc..
 Grades of Metamorphism
• The term metamorphic grade is widely used to indicate
relative degree of metamorphism (based on T & P
conditions.

• However, the SCMR recommended that metamorphic

grade should refer only to temperature of
metamorphism.

• SCMR proposed five grades of metamorphism i.e.

– Very low grade
– Low grade
– Medium grade
– High grade
– Very high grade of metamorphism
• Depending on whether metamorphism is
accompanied by increasing or decreasing
temperature two types can be distinguished:
• Prograde (= progressive) metamorphism is a
metamorphism giving rise to the formation of
minerals which are typical of a higher grade (i.e.
higher temperature) than the former phase
assemblage.

• Retrograde (= retrogressive) metamorphism is a

metamorphism giving rise to the formation of
minerals which are typical of a lower grade (i.e.
lower temperature) than the former phase
assemblage.
 Isograd
• Isograd is a surface across the rock sequence,
represented by a line on a map, defined by the
appearance or disappearance of a mineral or a
mineral association, produced as a result of a
specific reaction.

• On geologic maps focusing on metamorphic

terrains, the boundaries between rocks of different
metamorphic grade are commonly demarcated by
isograd lines. The Garnet Isograd, for example,
would mark the first occurrence of garnet in the
rocks.
Isograd