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Metamorphic Rocks

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What is metamorphism?

the change undergone by an existing rock (e.g.

igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic), in the solid
state, to another rock

Why do rocks change?

heat, pressure, chemically active fluids

Agents of Metamorphism

Rocks change in response to these agents to

attain equilibrium.

Agents of metamorphism : Heat

 Provides the energy to drive
chemical reactions →
recrystallization of minerals

 Sources of heat
• Geothermal gradient
• temperature increases with
depth (20o – 30oC per km in the
crust)
• Large bodies of molten rock or
intrusive bodies

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Agents of metamorphism : Heat

 Effects of increased temperature
 Minerals convert to new high temperature
minerals
 Fluids are released
○ Materials for crystals to grow
○ Rocks become weaker and easier to deform

Agents of metamorphism: Pressure

 When subjected to pressure,
minerals may recrystallize into
more compact forms.

 Platy or elongate minerals may

align to a preferred direction

 Confining pressure
 equal stress in all directions; from
overlying rock
 Differential stress
 unequal pressure in different
directions

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Agents of metamorphism: Pressure

Agents of metamorphism: Chemically active fluids

 Water dissolves and transports ions within

the rock

 Sources of fluids
• trapped in pore spaces of the original rock.
• released during dehydration of minerals, such
as amphibole or mica.
• magmatic bodies (hydrothermal fluids).

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How metamorphism alters rocks

 Increased density (compact)
 Larger crystals
 Bonding of mineral grains
 Textural change
 Mineralogical change
 Degree of metamorphism
 Prograde: low grade → high grade
 Retrograde: high grade → low grade

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Contact metamorphism
Occurs when magma
invades pre-existing rock.

A zone of alteration called

an aureole (or halo) forms
around the emplaced
magma .

Takes place at shallow

depths (0-6km) and low
pressure.

Country rocks are “baked”

Metamorphic rocks produced: non-foliated; fine-grained

Contact Metamorphism

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Regional metamorphism
Takes place at considerable depths
over an extensive area (5-30km) .

Under high pressure and is

associated with the process of
mountain building.

When continents collide (A) or

oceanic crust subducts (B)

Regional Metamorphism

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Metamorphic Environments in
Subduction Zones

Metamorphic Facies

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Hydrothermal metamorphism
 Chemical alteration by
hot, ion-rich
(hydrothermal) fluids
that circulate through
fissures and cracks.

 High temperatures and

moderate pressures

 Rich ore deposits are

often formed as a result
of hydrothermal
metamorphism.

Contact (impact) metamorphism

 Produced by the ultra-
high pressure caused
by meteoric impact

Barringer Crater, Arizona

 Can produce minerals
that are only stable at
very high pressure,
such as the SiO2
polymorphs coesite
and stishovite.

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Based on:
1. Texture
 size, shape and relationships of constituent
minerals (foliated and non-foliated)
2. Protolith
 original rock that was transformed by
metamorphism (in low-grade metamorphic
rocks, original textures may still be preserved
and might allow determination of likely
protolith)
3. Mineralogy
 mineral assemblage present

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Textures of metamorphic rocks

 Foliated
 exhibits a pervasive planar structure which
is due to the nearly parallel alignment of
minerals and/or compositional and
mineralogical layering in the rock

Foliation
Round grains can become
flattened

Sheet silicate minerals can

have a preferred orientation

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Foliation

Foliated Rocks

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Degree of Metamorphism
slate
phyllite
 Crystals and
compositional
banding become
larger with schist
increasing
metamorphism
gneiss

Textures of metamorphic rocks

 Non-foliated
 no preferred mineral orientations;
metamorphism leads to transformation of
one mineral to another

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Non-foliated rocks

Anthracite coal

Protoliths

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Metamorphic Grades

Metamorphic Rocks

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Metamorphic Structures

Resources from Metamorphic Rocks

 Marble is used for
statues and ornamental
building stone.
 Slate is used for roofing,
flooring, billiard/pool
tables, and blackboards.
 Talc is ground into
powder.
 Graphite is used in
pencils and lubricants.
 Garnet and corundum
used as gemstones and
abrasives.

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Resources from Metamorphic Rocks

 Kyanite, andalusite, sillimanite used as raw
materials in the ceramics industry.
 Sulfide deposits (bornite, chalcopyrite,
galena, pyrite, and sphalerite)
 Iron and tin oxide deposits (hematite,
magnetite and cassiterite)
 Tungsten deposits (wolframite and
scheelite)
 Precious metal deposits (gold)

Metamorphic Rocks in the Phils.

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