Metamorphismpptpntn.ppt2
- 2. Meta means ‘change’, Morph means ‘form’ A change in form of pre-existing rocks of all types. Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic By the action of Heat alone (Contact) By the action of Pressure alone (Dynamic) By the action of Heat and Pressure in combination (Regional)
- 3. Weathering, diagenesis and lithification Environments where temperatures are below 200 – 300 degrees centigrade Melting Of Rocks - environments where temperatures are above 650 degrees centigrade Environments less than 2km depth and at pressures below 1000 bars
- 4. The extent to which the pre-existing rocks have been changed in form/altered Low Grade – slight alteration Medium Grade – significant alteration High Grade – extensive/total alteration
- 5. Are assumed to be isochemical The bulk chemical composition of the parent rock and the metamorphic product are identical. Both contain the same % Si, Al, O, Na etc. The only loss from the system is water as hydrous clay minerals are dehydrated by a rise in temperature
- 6. Changes due to the action of heat alone Associated with large scale igneous bodies Batholiths and plutons of granite/gabbro Example around the edges of the granites in S.W. England (St.Austell, Bodmin etc) Metamorphic aureole refers to the volume of rock affected by heat from the intrusion
- 8. Size and shape of the igneous body Composition – Acid magma 800 degrees centigrade, basic magma 1200 degrees Thermal conductivity of the country rocks Volatile content of the magma Distance from edge of igneous body of any location in the country rocks
- 9. The total volume of older ‘country rocks’ affected by heat from the intrusion Grade of metamorphism decreases from the intrusion towards the edge of the aureole By convention aureoles need to be over 50 metres wide to be marked on 1:50,000 scale BGS maps
- 10. Argillaceous rocks which have undergone metamorphism are referred to as Pelites Low Grade – Spotted Rock Medium Grade – Chiastolite Rock High Grade – Hornfels Argillaceous rocks undergo most change as they are composed of chemically complex clay minerals such as kaolinite, illite, smectite, bentonite and montmorillianite.
- 11. Increased temperature to 300 – 400 degrees centigrade. Partial recrystallization occurs New minerals occur as oval spots 2 – 5mm in diameter. Cordierite or iron oxides Spots show sieve or poikiloblastic texture Spots have overgrown and included grains of the original argillaceous rock Relic structures such as bedding/lamination and fossils may be evident
- 12. Spotted Rock - Chapel Porth , Cornwall Spots 1-3mm in diameter, oval in shape, greenish colour and composed of cordierite Laminations - relic structure of sedimentary rock, therefore low grade Matrix/groundmass is fine grained/argillaceous and appears sedimentary in nature Spots show sieve or Red/brown staining due to poikiloblastic texture oxidation of iron compounds following chemical weathering Spots concentrated along old lamination surfaces, sloping left to right in photograph
- 13. Increase in temperature to 400 – 500 degrees centigrade, results in coarser grained rock Extensive recrystallization occurs Needles of chiastolite develop and show porphyroblastic texture. Up to 2cm long, 3mm in diameter, square cross section often with iron inclusions. Groundmass is mainly micas Needles show random orientation, having crystallised in the absence of pressure No relic structures are evident
- 14. Chiastolite Rock/Chiastolite Hornfels No evidence of former Needles show random orientation, having sedimentary structure remain crystallised in the absence of directed stress Porphyroblastic texture Needles have square cross sections, often with iron inclusions White chiastolite needles Groundmass is very fine Shows crystalline rather up to 2cm in length grained but crystalline than clastic texture
- 15. Increase in temperature 500–600 degrees centigrade, results in grain size >2mm Hornfels shows hornfelsic texture-a tough, fibrous and splintery-looking rock with a crystalline texture Andalusite often occurs as porphyroblasts No evidence of any relic structures
- 16. Hornfels/Killas-Cornwall Medium to coarse Formed from argillaceos parent grained 1-2mm material: clay/shale/mudstone Crystalline texture Tough, splintery hornfelsic texture No evidence of former Formed adjacent to a sedimentary structures major igneous intrusion
- 17. Andalusite Hornfels - Brittany Tough, compact and Formed from argillaceous parent splintery hornfelsic texture rocks: clay/shale/mudstone Andalusite needles up to 3cm Porphyroblastic long x 5mm across texture Andalusite porphyroblasts show random orientation indicating crystallisation in the absence of directed stress Crystalline groundmass dark grey in colour High grade contact or thermal metamorphism Andalusite is stable under high temperatures but relatively low pressures All evidence of sedimentary 3 cm structures destroyed
- 18. Limestones, including chalk are chemically simple rocks, comprising just calcium carbonate in the form of the mineral calcite. No new can minerals form as there are only atoms of Ca, C and O present, instead calcium carbonate recrystallises in a coarser form Grain size increases with grade. Low grade <1mm, Medium 1-2mm, High >2mm
- 19. Limestones recrystallise to form marble All fossil detail and older structures are lost during recrystallisation Marbles show granoblastic texture, where all the crystals are roughly the same size. This is the metamorphic equivalent of granular texture in igneous rocks.
- 20. Marble – Italy No evidence of foliation, therefore formed by contact metamorphism Calcite crystals are hexagonal with Contact/thermal 120 degree triple point junctions metamorphism of a pure limestone, hence white colour Crystalline texture Entirely composed of recrystallised calcium carbonate White, sugary saccharoidal or granoblastic texture Crystal size 1 – No evidence of old 2mm medium grade sedimentary structures, therefore at least Monomineralic rock-reacts with medium grade dilute hydrochloric acid and can 2 cm be scratched easily with steel
- 23. Pure limestones produce white marbles with a sugary or saccharoidal texture Crystals show triple point junctions with 120 degree angles between adjacent crystals. Indicates crystallization in the absence of directed stress Marbles can be distinguished from metaquartzites by testing with dilute acid and scratching with a steel nail Marble reacts or fizzes (carbon dioxide is given off) and is scratched by the steel nail
- 24. Sandstones are chemically simple rocks comprising mainly quartz (silicon dioxide) No new minerals form from pure sandstones as there are only atoms of Si and O present. Instead, quartz recrystallises in a coarser form Grain size increases with grade. Low grade <1mm, Medium 1-2mm, High >2mm
- 25. Sandstones recrystallise to form metaquartzites All fossil detail and older structures are lost during recrystallisation Metaquartzites show granoblastic texture, where all the crystals are roughly the same size. This is the metamorphic equivalent of granular texture in igneous rocks.
- 26. Crystals show triple point junctions with 120 degree angles between adjacent crystals. Indicates crystallization in the absence of directed stress Metaquartzites can be distinguished from marbles by testing with dilute acid and scratching with a steel nail Metaquartzite does not react with acid and is not scratched by a steel nail
- 27. Contact Metamorphism Of Sandstone - Metaquartzite Granoblastic texture, all crystals 1-2mm in diameter Recrystallization has resulted in reduction in porosity All evidence of former sedimentary structures destroyed 2cm Mineralogy predominantly grey, glassy, colourless quartz Crystals show triple point junctions at 120 degrees
- 31. If limestones or sandstones contain an appreciable clay content, then new minerals will form Spots of cordierite and needles of chiastolite and andalusite (porphyroblasts) will form as the metamorphic grade increases The porphyroblasts will have a random orientation due to the absence of directed stress at the time of crystallization
- 32. Changes due to pressure alone Associated with major fault planes, especially reverse and thrust faults. Eg Lizard Thrust, Moine Thrust, Glarus Nappe Very localised, restricted to 1 or 2 metres immediately adjacent to the fault plane Process is Cataclasis which involves crushing and grinding of rocks into angular fragments Characteristic texture is cataclastic
- 33. Low to moderate pressures at shallow depths < 5km below the surface Angular clasts set in a matrix of micro- breccia, often later cemented by percolating solutions or groundwater Long axes of clasts may show parallel/sub- parallel orientation to fault plane Easily eroded away to form a gully at the surface if not cemented by percolating waters
- 34. Large clasts generally only produced by competent rocks such as sandstone and limestone Argillaceous rocks produce fault-gouge, a fine clayish material devoid of larger angular clasts There is some disagreement amongst geologists as to whether fault breccia and fault gouge represent true metamorphic rocks
- 36. Moderate to high pressure 5 – 10km depth Intense crushing/grinding occurs to reduce rock particles to microscopic angular fragments. Often called Rock Flour – as in the white plain flour for baking Texture is mylonitic. More competent components eg flint nodules in chalk are drawn out into lens shaped fragments on a microscopic scale
- 37. Very high pressures, over 10km depth Intense crushing/grinding generates frictional heat to weld the microscopic angular particles together In extreme cases frictional heating can initiate localised melting and the formation of pseudotachylite glass
- 39. Occurs due to progressive increase in pressure and temperature conditions Occurs on a regional scale and involves 000’s cubic kilometres of rock Associated with destructive plate margins, especially subduction zones such as the Peru-Chile Trench Regional metamorphic rocks show foliation, a banding/layering/alignment of crystal long axes as they crystallised under directed stress
- 40. Argillaceous rocks are referred to as pelites or pelitic following metamorphism Argillaceous rocks undergo most change as they are composed of chemically complex clay minerals such as kaolinite, illite, smectite, bentonite and montmorillianite. Low Grade – Slate, Medium Grade – Schist High Grade – Gneiss , V. High Grade - Migmatite
- 42. Occurs at 5 – 15 km depth, relatively high pressures but low temperatures < 300 degrees centigrade. Upper part of the subduction zone New minerals mainly chlorite and biotite. These platy minerals have their long axes aligned and at right angles to the principal stress direction to form slaty cleavage
- 43. Grain size has increased but crystals too small to see with the naked eye At low grade, some relic sedimentary structures may be preserved such as bedding or lamination. Fossils may be present but will be deformed ie stretched, elongated or compressed
- 44. As a roofing material and for flooring, it splits easily into thin flat sheets and is impermeable, especially at right angles to the slaty cleavage Also used for beds of billiard/snooker tables, as window sills and gravestones Offcuts can be used for crazy paving and as a decorative mulch on flower beds, particularly those dominated by succulents (cacti)
- 46. Slate – Low Grade Regional Metamorphism Formed at depths of 5 – 15 km P Max Texture is Slaty Cleavage and temperatures of 250 – 350 C microscopic alignment of long axes of mica and chlorite crystals Very fine grained - crystals much less than 1mm in diameter Formed from argillaceous parent mudstone/shale/clay P Max Foliation Mineralogy: Biotite Mica, Direction May show evidence of former Muscovite Mica and Chlorite sedimentary structures such as bedding/laminations/fossils
- 47. Formed under higher temperatures 400 to 500 degrees centigrade and at depths of 15 to 25 km Higher temperature results in coarser crystal size 1 – 2mm and the growth of new minerals such as staurolite and garnet along with quartz and micas Garnet crystals occur as porphyroblasts up to 5mm in diameter and often distort the foliation
- 48. Overall texture is schistose, produced by long axes of micas aligned parallel and at right angles to the direction of principal stress Older sedimentary structures such as bedding, laminations and fossils are completely destroyed
- 52. Garnet-Mica Schist – Medium Grade Regional Metamorphism Formed from P Max argillaceous parent Foliation – Schistose clay/ mudstone/shale Texture. Long axes of crystals aligned parallel Forms at 10 – 25km Depth and P Max Temperatures of 400 - 500 C Garnet porphyroblast 2mm in Diameter Foliation Direction Mineralogy: Quartz, Biotite Mica, 2cm Muscovite Mica and Garnet
- 53. Formed under still higher temperatures and pressures, typically 450 to 650 degrees centigrade and at depths of 25 to 40 km Higher temperatures result in a coarser crystal size, typically >2 mm New minerals include kyanite and sillimanite along with quartz, feldspar and micas
- 54. Minerals have segregated into mineral-rich layers or bands and the texture is referred to as gneissose banding Mineral rich layers are parallel and aligned at right angles to the principal stress direction Overall mineral composition is now very similar to granite
- 58. Gneiss – High Grade Regional Metamorphism Texture Gneissose Banding Minerals segregated into mineral rich layers Coarse grained – crystals over 2mm in diameter Formed from argillaceous parent mudstone/shale/clay- P Max P Max Foliation Direction Formed at depths of 20 to 35 km and Mineralogy: Quartz, temperatures between 550 and 650 C Feldspar, Biotite Mica, Kyanite and Sillimanite
- 59. Migmatite means literally ‘mixed rock’ and comprises two distinct components. The rock is half metamorphic and half igneous A foliated gneissose or schistose component and a non-foliated crystalline granitic component. The junction between the two components is indistinct or gradational.
- 60. Field evidence suggests that the granitic component has been derived by the melting of the gneissose/schistose component Further melting would yield a granitic or acid magma and would then constitute the igneous phase of the rock cycle
- 61. The End I.G. Kenyon October 2002