Metamorphis MPP T 2

Metamorphism I.G.
Kenyon
Definition
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)
Metamorphism Excludes:
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
Metamorphic Grade
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
Metamorphic Changes
Are assumed to be isochemical The bulk chemical composition of the parent rock and the metamorphic product are identical. Both contain the same % Si, O, Na etc. The only loss from the system is water as hydrous clay minerals are dehydrated by a rise in temperature
Controlling Factors - Contact

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
The Metamorphic Aureole

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
Low Grade Spotted Rock

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
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 poikiloblastic texture
Red/brown staining due to oxidation of iron compounds following chemical weathering
Spots concentrated along old lamination surfaces, sloping left to right in photograph
Medium Grade Chiastolite Rock

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
Chiastolite Rock/Chiastolite Hornfels

No evidence of former sedimentary structure remain Needles show random orientation, having crystallised in the absence of directed stress
Porphyroblastic texture Needles have square cross sections, often with iron inclusions
White chiastolite needles up to 2cm in length
Groundmass is very fine grained but crystalline
Shows crystalline rather than clastic texture
High Grade - Hornfels

Increase in temperature 500600 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
Hornfels/Killas-Cornwall
Formed from argillaceos parent material: clay/shale/mudstone
Crystalline texture Medium to coarse grained 1-2mm
Tough, splintery hornfelsic texture
No evidence of former sedimentary structures
Formed adjacent to a major igneous intrusion
Andalusite Hornfels - Brittany

Tough, compact and splintery hornfelsic texture Formed from argillaceous parent rocks: clay/shale/mudstone
Andalusite needles up to 3cm long x 5mm across
Porphyroblastic 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 3 cm
All evidence of sedimentary structures destroyed
The End
I.G. Kenyon October 2002

Metamorphis MPP T 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Metamorphis MPP T 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Metamorphis MPP T 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Metamorphism I.G.

Controlling Factors - Contact

The Metamorphic Aureole

Low Grade Spotted Rock

Spotted Rock - Chapel Porth , Cornwall

Spots show sieve or poikiloblastic texture

Red/brown staining due to oxidation of iron compounds following chemical weathering

Medium Grade Chiastolite Rock

Chiastolite Rock/Chiastolite Hornfels

White chiastolite needles up to 2cm in length

Groundmass is very fine grained but crystalline

Shows crystalline rather than clastic texture

High Grade - Hornfels

Tough, splintery hornfelsic texture

No evidence of former sedimentary structures

Formed adjacent to a major igneous intrusion

Andalusite Hornfels - Brittany

Andalusite needles up to 3cm long x 5mm across

All evidence of sedimentary structures destroyed

You might also like