Metamorphic Petrology I (L36-43) Flashcards
What information is gained from metamorphic petrology?
P-T-X conditions
Deformation fabrics
Time constraints
Understand tectonic processes
What are the five principal settings of metamorphism?
Regional (continent-continent collision) Seafloor Subduction zone Contact Regional (subduction zone)
Why does metamorphism occur?
T change
P change
Composition (X) change
What are the three lithospheric thermal properties?
Conductivity (K) Heat production (A) Heat flow (q)
Subduction zone thermal regime
Hotter than normal T in back arc
Colder than normal T in subducted plate
Collision zone thermal regime
Hotter than normal T in zone of accretion
Contact metamorphism thermal regime
Hotter than normal T around intrusion
Define migmatites
Metamorphic rocks that are partially melted
Define Ultra-high T (UHT) metamorphism
Name an indicator of UHT
T > 900C
Sapphirine + quartz
What are the aluminosilicate polymorphs?
Which PT conditions are each at?
Kyanite - low P
Sillimanite - high P
Andalusite - low P, medium T
What defines ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphism?
Coesite
What are the five principal rock protoliths?
Mudstones Sandstones Carbonates Mafic igneous Felsic igneous
Mudstones:
Rock name?
Typical minerals?
Bulk composition?
Metapelite
Muscovite, chlorite, bt, gt, qz, staurolite, Al-silicates, cordierite
High Al2O3, K2O, SiO2
Muscovite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
KAl2[AlSi3O10](OH,F)2 Sheet silicate Monoclinic Shiny silver fabric forming flakes Colourless, low relief, basal cleavage 3rd order δ, speckled extinction
Chlorite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
(Mg,Fe)5Al[AlSi3O10](OH)8 Sheet silicate Monoclinic Fabric-forming green sheen Greem, low/med relief, basal cleavage 1st order/anomalous δ, common retrograde of gt or bt
Biotite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
K(Mg,Fe)3[AlSi3O10](OH,F)2 Sheet silicate Monoclinic Black plates forming fabric Brown pleochroism, med relief, basal cleavage, pleochroic haleos 3rd order δ, speckled extinction
Garnet: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
(Fe,Mg,Ca,Mn)3Al2[SiO4]3 Isolated tetrahedra Cubic Dark red porphyroblasts High relief, inclusion rich Isotropic
Staurolite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
(Fe,Mg)2Al9O6[SiO4]4(O,OH)2 Isolated tetrahedra Monoclinic Brown porphyroblasts, cruciform Yellow, high relief, inclusion rich with qz High 1st order δ
Kyanite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
Al2SiO5
Isolated tetrahedra
Triclinic
Blue blades
High relief, two good cleavages, tabular habit
High 1st order δ, length slow, simple twins
Andalusite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
Al2SiO5 Isolated tetrahedra Orthorhombic Square prisms/needles Med relief, 2 90 degree cleavages, graphite cross Low 1st order δ, length fast
Sillimanite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers Habit
Al2SiO5 Isolated tetrahedra Orthorhombic White needles Med relief, good cleavage 2nd order δ, length slow Prismatic or fibrolitic
Cordierite: Formula Silicate type Crystal system Hand specimen identifiers PPL identifiers XPL identifiers
(Fe,Mg)2Al4Si5O18 Ring silicate Orthorhombic Spotted appearance Low relief, poikiloblastic, often altered at margins, yellow pleochroic haloes 1st order δ, can have sector trilling