Module 6.

Metamorphic Rocks
What's This Module About?
In this module, you'll learn about metamorphic rocks—those transformed by heat and
pressure.

The module begins with a discussion of the processes that form metamorphic rocks, and give
them their unique textures. Next, it covers common types of metamorphic rocks, and features
to look for when identifying them. There follows a discussion of the different settings in
which metamorphism occurs, and the effects that setting has on the types of metamorphic
rocks and textures produced. Last, the module covers an organizing system for grouping
different types of metamorphic rocks according to the conditions that produced them, and
how characteristic minerals can be used to determine those conditions.

Master List of Readings & Activities (In Order)

 Read Chapter 10, Metamorphism & Metamorphic Rocks to the end of section 10.4.

 Watch the videos about types of metamorphism and complete the activity (Activity &
Video Interlude 1).
 Read the rest of Chapter 10.

 Go find a snack that resembles a foliated metamorphic rock.

Learning Objectives
1. Explain what happens to a rock as it undergoes metamorphism.

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 Most metamorphism results from the burial of igneous, sedimentary, or pre-existing
metamorphic rocks, to the point where they experience different pressures and temperatures
than those at which they originally formed. Metamorphism can also take place if cold rock
near the surface is intruded and heated by a hot igneous body. Metamorphism usually
involves temperatures above 150 °C, but some types of metamorphism do occur at
temperatures
lower than
those at
which the
parent rock
formed.

Metamorphism adds about 1mm to the mineral for every million years.

2. Explain the factors that determine whether foliation will be present or absent in a
metamorphic rock.

3. Classify common foliated metamorphic rocks and give the name and protolith for
common non-foliated metamorphic rocks.

4. Describe the different types of metamorphism.

5. Explain the utility of index minerals and metamorphic facies.

Key Terms & Concepts

1. Metamorphism – the change that takes place within a body of rock as a result of it
being subjected to high pressure and/or high temp

2. Metamorphic rocks – form under pressures and temperatures that are higher than
those experienced by sedimentary rocks during diagenesis (the blanket term for a
range of low temp and low pressure chemical and physical changes that happen to
buried sediments)

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3. Parent rock/protolith – the rock that exists before metamorphism starts

i. Can also be a before it undergoes more metamorphic change

4. Foliation – A fabric produced when mineral grains within a rock become aligned in a
particular direction

5. Metasomatism/hydrothermal alteration – transformation of a rock

under elevated pressures and temperatures, and in the presence of
abundant hydrothermal fluids, causing a change in the chemical
composition of the rock / chemical reactions in rocks facilitated by hot
fluids

6. Rock cleavage – breaks along planes of weakness within a rock that are
caused by foliation

7. Directed pressure – means the stress on the rock is greater in one

direction than another

8. Sheer Stress- when forces act parallel to surfaces

9. Recrystallization – when mineral crystals re-form into larger crustals of the same
mineral

10. Metamorphic grade – refers to the intensity of metamorphism.

Produced by higher pressures and temp

11. Foliated metamorphic rocks

a. Slate – mineral alignment in the metamorphic rock that causes it

to break into flat pieces

b. Phyllite – similar to slate, but has been heated to a higher

temperature so the micas have grown larger. (not visible as
individual crystals just larger sheets

c. Schist – forms at higher temp and pressure and has mica crystals
that are large enough to see without magnification. Individual crystals may
be seen when light is flashed

d. Gneiss – forms at the highest pressure and temp and has crystals large
enough to see to un-aided eye

12. Non-foliated metamorphic rocks – don’t have aligned mineral

crystals because they form where pressure is uniform or near the surface where
pressure is low

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 a. Marble – (metamorphized limestone) when it forms, the calcite crystals
recrystalize and any sediment textures are destroyed
b.Quartzite – (metamorphized sandstone)

c. Hornfels – normally forms during

contact metamorphism of fine-
grained rocks like mudstone or
volcanic rocks.

13. Migmatite – a “mixed rock” formed when some minerals within

a metamorphic rock begin to melt

14. Ptygmatic folding – folds that look like they should be impossible because they are
enveloped by rock that doesn’t display the same complex deformation

15. Types of metamorphism

a. Burial – occurs when sediments are buried deeply enough that the heat and
pressure causes minerals to begin to recrystalize and new minerals grow, but
does not leave the rock with a foliated appearance

b. Regional – large scale metamorphism, such as what

happens to continental crust along convergent tectonic
margins. The collision results in the formation of long
mountain ranges. It also causes rocks to be folded, broken.
and staked against one another

c. Seafloor/hydrothermal -

d. Subduction zone – (Produces glaucophane) low temp,

high pressure

e. Contact – happens when a body of magma intrudes into

the upper part of the crust. Heat is important
but pressure is not.
f. Shock – two features are shocked quartz and
shatter cones
g. Dynamic – the result of high sheer stress, such
that occurs along fault zones. Occurs at
relatively low temp and consists primarily of

physical changes

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16. Metamorphic facies – groups together metamorphic rocks that form under the same
pressure and temp, but have different protoliths

17. Hydrothermal alteration- chemical changes in rocks due to

interaction with hot water

a. Skarn is produced

18. Index minerals – minerals that are stable within a sufficiently narrow
range of temperatures and pressures to be useful for identifying rocks
formed under those pressures and temps

19. Metamorphic zone – regions of differing metamorphic intensity defined by the first
appearance of index minerals

20. Lithostatic pressure – pressure resulting from the weight of overlying rocks