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Metamorphic Rocks
Transformation At Work
Metamorphic rocks are one of the three types of rock classifications, the other two being igneous and sedimentary. Rocks are classified by the processes under which they were formed. The differences in formation account for variations in the appearance of the rocks and, with some practice, you can learn to recognize the different types by sight.
Metamorphic Rocks are rocks that have changed form due to heat and pressure. Metamorphic comes from the Greek words meta and morph. Meta means change and morph means form. So we get metamorphic meaning to change form.
Metamorphic rocks were once sedimentary, igneous or even other metamorphic rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure.
There are three kinds of metamorphism.
- Contact metamorphism
- Regional metamorphism
- Dynamic metamorphism
Contact metamorphism occurs when magma intrudes or forces its way into existing rock. The heat of the magma bakes the surrounding rocks causing them to change. This is a local event. The changes due to contact metamorphism are relatively small and are said to be low-grade metamorphism. An example of contact metamorphism is the metamorphic rock marble. Marble is created from limestone that has been subjected to heat.
Regional metamorphism by contrast takes place over large areas and is high-grade metamorphism. Regional metamorphism is associated with mountain building like these rocks on the cliff face of the Black Canyon of The Gunnison. It is mostly a metamorphic rock called gneiss. See picture below. The pink rocks you see are pegmatites which are igneous rocks that have squeezed their way into cracks in the older gneiss.
Dynamic metamorphism is metamorphism that is produced in zones such as faults or thrusts that are under high amounts of pressure. The way that this form of metamorphism works is that rocks are scraped against each other causing them to be ground into a powder. Then this powder is reformed due to the pressure in the zone and the heat caused by friction of the two rock surfaces. Due to the given conditions, we can determine that this metamorphism is mainly dependent on pressure and requires relatively low temperatures.
Photo credit: http://www.indiana.edu/~g103/theinteractiveearth/6-Metamorphic%20rocks/module6.html
Information on dynamic metamorphism by Dominic Chaulk
Geology major at California State University Fullerton
The Causes or Agents of Metamorphism
The causes or agents of metamorphism
are heat, pressure, and hydrothermal solution. But where does this heat
and pressure come from? And what is hydrothermal solution? Well read
on…
The heat and pressure comes from inside the earth. From the upper mantle up to within a few kilometers of the surface of the earth there is a tremendous amount of heat and pressure. This heat and pressure increase with depth. It is estimated that the temperature increases about 20o to 30o C per kilometer of depth.
Plate Tectonics Adds Heat And Pressure
There
is something else that adds to both the heat and pressure, and that is
plate tectonics. When the plates of the earth collide, they squeeze the
rocks at the borders with unbelievable force. This force increases the
pressure in this and surrounding areas. Friction is also created by the
plates grinding together. This friction generates enough heat to melt
the rocks at the point of contact.
Heat
For metamorphism to occur energy is needed to fuel the chemical reactions. Heat is the primary source of this energy.
Pressure
The
pressure within the earth is the result of gravity pulling the crust of
the earth downward.Like heat, pressure increases with depth. This
pressure can actually squeeze the spaces out of the minerals within the
rock. This makes the rocks denser. The heat and pressure together cause
the rock to flow instead of break or fracture. The mineral grains become
realigned. They flatten out and get longer.
Hydrothermal Solution
Magma contains many different gasses including H2O.
That’s right water! Or more properly steam. Minerals are carried by the
steam. When this hot fluid escapes from the magma it is called
Hydrothermal Solution. These hot fluids can change the crystallization
in rock by dissolving the minerals and then depositing new ones. Rocks
that come in contact with this hydrothermal solution can have their
composition altered as a result of this recrystalization.
The Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks are classified as foliated or nonfoliated.
Foliated metamorphic rocks appeared banded or layered.
Nonfoliated metamorphic rock usually contains one mineral. It is uniform in texture.
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