Metamorphic Lecture

http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfjps/1300/metoutline.html[07-09-2014 21:32:13]
Metamorphic rocks
Metamorphic: "to change form"
Normal depths for metamorphism: below sedimentary depths (~2 km) and above igneous depths (~50
- 250 km)
Definition of metamorphism - a solid-state change in which the minerals within a rock are changed
without melting it. Note that the rock doesn't change composition. If that were to occur, then the
result would be metasomatism.
Conditions promoting metamorphism
Rock stability related to environment of formation
Metamorphism does not include melting
Heat
Necessary for chemical changes
Geothermal gradient - temperature increases with depth at a rate of 20 - 30 *C/km in the crust.
Sources of heat for metamorphism
Radioactive isotopes
Intruding magma
Friction between rock bodies
Pressure
Measured in bars - 1 kilobar (1 kb) is approximately 3 km depth. 1 kb =14,700 pounds/square
inch.
Lithostatic (confining) pressure - equal in all directions.
Directed pressure - applied in one plane. Directed pressure will result in a foliation (from Latin,
foilatus - leaf-like)
Results of pressure
Compaction
Recrystallization
Foliation
Fluids - will cause metasomatism to take place; the bulk composition of the rock changes.
Often necessary for chemical reactions
Sources of fluids
Surface infiltration
Pores in sedimentary rocks
Cracks in subducting plates
Magmas
Heated minerals
Magmatic gases
Parent rocks (protoliths)
Metamorphic Lecture
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Common metamorphic rocks
Foliated rocks derived from shale
Mud (sediment)
Shale (sedimentary rock or protolith)
Slate (metamorphic rock; forms at relatively low temperature and requires directed pressures)
Slaty cleavage (rock cleavage vs. mineral cleavage)
Slate colors
red: iron oxides
green: chlorite
purple: manganese oxides
black: carbon
Uses of slate
blackboards
roofing materials
floor tiles
pool-table tops
Phyllite (requires low to intermediate temperatures and directed pressures)
has a characteristic sheen to it.
Schist (requires intermediate to high temperatures and directed pressures)
develops a strong foliation and a distinct cleavage known as schistosity
Gneiss (high temperatures and directed pressures)
How gneiss forms - through metamorphic differentiation in which the lower temperature
minerals get to the point of almost melting, leaving the higher temperature minerals in a
more undeformed form.
Where gneiss forms - often in the core of ancient mountain ranges such as the North
Cascades.
Migmatite - if the rock is heated to temperatures at which the more felsic minerals begin to melt
(600 - 800C), the rock is in a gray area where part of it can be called metamorphic and part is
igneous - that is a migmatite.
Foliated rocks derived from igneous rocks
Basalt metamorphoses to greenschist
Granite and diorite metamorphose to gneiss
Nonfoliated rocks
Pure limestones and dolostones form marble which has recrystallized calcite crystals.
Silica-rich limestones and dolostones form skarn
Sandstone metamorphose to quartzite
Shale and basalt form hornfels
Types of metamorphism
Contact metamorphism
Affected by magmatic heat and fluids, not by pressure
Metamorphic aureoles
Regional metamorphism affects vast regions
Metamorphic Lecture
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Burial metamorphism
Occurs at depths greater than ~10 km
Confining pressure and geothermal heat
Produces nonfoliated metamorphic rocks
Dynamothermal metamorphism
Occurs between converging plates
Directed pressure, heat, and confining pressure
Produces foliated metamorphic rocks
Other types of metamorphism
Hydrothermal metamorphism
Continental processes
(More common) oceanic processes: serpentinization
Fault metamorphism
Directed pressure and frictional heat
Can result in foliation and recrystallization
Large, flattened, rotated recrystallized grains: augen
Shock metamorphism
From meteor impacts
Produces the minerals stishovite and coesite
Minerals are distinctive of impact sites
Metamorphic grade and index minerals
Metamorphic grade - based on the occurrence of diagnostic minerals that form at particular
temperatures and pressures.
Low-grade metamorphic rocks
Retain some of their original characteristics
Low temperatures (200 - 400 C)
Pressure (1 - 6 kilobars)
High-grade metamorphic rocks
Lack original characteristics
High temperatures (500 - 800 C)
Pressure (12 - 15 kilobars)
E.g., increasing metamorphic grade with the protolith being a shale:
shale ->slate ->phyllite ->schist ->gneiss ->migmatite
Mineral zones - characterized by index minerals which are only stable over restricted
temperature/pressure ranges.
Metamorphic index minerals and mineral zones act as geothermometers and
geobarometers for the temperatures and pressures to which the rock was subjected.
E.g., kyanite, andalusite, and sillimanite
Metamorphic Lecture
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Metamorphic facies
Metamorphic facies: consistent temperature and pressure conditions
Greenstone facies: low temperatures and confining pressures
Greenschist facies: low temperatures and directed pressures
Amphibolite facies: intermediate temperatures and pressures
Granulite facies: high temperatures and pressures
Eclogite facies: extremely high temperatures and pressures
Blueschist facies: low temperatures and high pressures
Once metamorphic facies develop they may later be folded or deformed. Mapping the metamorphic
facies will result in isograds being made. Isograds are lines of equivalent metamorphic grade.
Plate tectonics and metamorphic rocks
Regional dynamothermal metamorphism develops directed pressure at plate boundaries.
Contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism develops from magma generated at plate
boundaries.
Subduction zone metamorphic environments.
Trench: low temperature, high pressure.
Close to surface: high temperature, low pressure.
At greater depth: high temperature, high pressure.
Metamorphic rocks in daily life
Strong and weather-resistant - slate for roofing
Valued for appearance - garnet (J anuary's birthstone), verde antique, Carrara marble
Used for buildings, sculpture, and common commodities - slate, jadeite, talc, asbestos
Metamorphic Lecture
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Sites used for some valuable mineral deposits - hydrothermal metamorphism will concentrate
precious metals such as gold, platinum, as well as others such as copper and lead.
Potential hazards from metamorphic rocks - since some metamorphic rocks develop a strong
foliation they may be a hazard, say for landslide potential, if the foliation is oriented in the
wrong direction.