Ch. 07 Flashcards
The transformation of rocks into new types by the recrystallization of their constituents, originating from the Greek “meta” (change) and “morphe” (shape).
Metamorphism
Primary agents responsible for metamorphism, acting on igneous, sedimentary, or previously metamorphosed rocks.
Heat and pressure
Heat and pressure mobilize mineral constituents, leading to their reassembly as new minerals in equilibrium with existing conditions, transforming rocks.
Mobilization and reassembly
Significance of textures in defining the history of metamorphic rocks, where composition and orientation of new minerals reflect metamorphic conditions.
Textural history
Process where metamorphic minerals develop within solid rock, aided by solvents like water expelled from pores and dehydration of clay minerals.
Solvent-assisted growth
3 Metamorphic Classes
Thermal or Contact Metamorphism
Dynamic or Dislocation Metamorphism
Regional Metamorphism
Dominated by stress, particularly in belts of shearing, where the primary control is exerted by pressure.
Dynamic or Dislocation Metamorphism
Dominated by temperature rise, often occurring in contact zones adjacent to igneous intrusions or when sediments are down-folded into hotter regions in the crust.
Thermal or Contact Metamorphism
Influenced by both temperature and pressure acting over a large regional area, resulting in significant alterations to the rocks.
Regional Metamorphism
What metamorphic process occurs due to the intrusion of a hot igneous mass, resulting in the recrystallization of surrounding rocks and the formation of new minerals?
Contact Metamorphism.
In which metamorphic process do rocks undergo mechanical breakdown under stress, such as shearing or brecciation?
Dislocation Metamorphism.
What is the term for metamorphism that results from both stresses and temperature rise, typically occurring in orogenic belts of the crust?
Regional Metamorphism.
What determines the ease of growth for metamorphic minerals during metamorphism?
Crystal Shape.
What are conspicuous crystals in metamorphic rocks, such as garnet and andalusite, called?
Porphyroblasts.
What term refers to the arrangement of mineral constituents and textural elements in a rock, particularly in metamorphic rocks?
Fabric.
What term describes a series of parallel surfaces in metamorphic rocks?
Banding.
What term refers to a series of parallel surfaces in metamorphic rocks
Foliation.
What term describes a series of parallel lines produced by the trace of foliation on a rock surface, such as the wall of a tunnel?
Lineation.
What term refers to the ability to distinguish individual crystals in a rock?
Visible Crystallinity.
What term describes a texture where individual crystals can be distinguished?
Phaneritic.
What term describes a texture where granularity is visible due to the presence of crystals, but individual crystals cannot be distinguished?
Aphanitic.
What term describes the size of crystals in a rock?
Crystal Size.
What term describes crystals that are larger than 2.0 mm in size?
Coarse.
What term describes crystals that are smaller than 0.06 mm in size?
Fine.
What term describes crystals that range in size from 2.0 mm to 0.06 mm?
Medium.
What term describes the uniformity of crystal size in a rock?
Relative Crystal Size.
What term describes a texture where all crystals in a rock are approximately the same size?
Granoblastic.
What term describes a texture where larger crystals are surrounded by much smaller crystals
Porphyroblastic.
What visible character is most useful for the classification of metamorphic rocks?
Classification.
What term is used for metamorphosed sandstone?
Metasandstone.
What term describes metamorphosed arenaceous sediments, such as sands?
Psammitic.
What term describes metamorphosed argillaceous sediments, such as silts and clays?
Pelitic.
What metamorphic rock is formed from clays and silts?
Slate.
What metamorphic rock is formed from volcanic ash?
Phyllite.
What metamorphic rock, with no noticeable foliation, is formed from all rock types of all grain sizes?
Mylonite.
What metamorphic rock is formed from mixed detrital terrigenous materials and is moderately foliated?
Migmatite.
What metamorphic rock is formed from mixed detrital terrigenous materials and is well-foliated?
Gneiss.
What metamorphic rock, well-foliated, is formed from basic igneous rocks?
Schist.
What metamorphic rock, with no noticeable foliation, is formed from sand?
Quartzite.
What metamorphic rock, with no noticeable foliation, is formed from limestone?
Marble.
What metamorphic rock, with no noticeable foliation, is formed from basic igneous rocks?
Amphibolite.
What metamorphic rock, with no noticeable foliation, is formed from basic igneous rocks?
Serpentine.
What term refers to the metamorphic changes occurring in rocks due to the intrusion of a hot igneous mass?
Contact Metamorphism.