NAME: ADDO LARBI KOFI INDEX: 3663009 DATE: NOVEMBER 09, 2011 COURSE: PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

WRITE ON REGIONAL METAMORPHISM Introduction Metamorphic rocks are derived from pre-existing rock types and have undergone mineralogical, textural and structural changes. These changes have been brought about by changes that have taken place in the physical and chemical environments in which the rocks existed. There are two types of metamorphic rocks namely, contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism. Discussed here is regional metamorphism. REGIONAL METAMORPHISM Metamorphic rocks extending over hundreds or even thousands of square kilometres are found exposed in the Pre-Cambrian shields, such as those that occur in Labrador and Fennoscandia, and in the eroded roots of fold mountains. As a consequence, the term regional has been applied to this type of metamorphism. Regional metamorphism involves both the processes of changing temperature and stress. The principal factor is temperature, which attains a maximum of around 800 C in regional metamorphism. Igneous intrusions are found within areas of regional metamorphism, but their influence is restricted. Regional metamorphism may be regarded as taking place when the confining pressures are in excess of 3 kilobars. What is more, temperatures and pressures conducive to regional metamorphism must have been maintained over millions of years. That temperatures rose and fell is indicated by the evidence of repeated cycles of metamorphism. These are not only demonstrated by mineralogical evidence but also by that of structures. For example, cleavage and schistosity are the results of deformation that is approximately synchronous with metamorphism but many rocks show evidence of more than one cleavage or schistosity that implies repeated deformation and metamorphism. Regional metamorphism is a progressive process, that is, in any given terrain formed initially of rocks of similar composition, zones of increasing grade may be defined by different mineral assemblages. Each zone is defined by a significant mineral, and their mineralogical variation can be correlated with changing temperature pressure conditions. The boundaries of each zone can therefore be regarded as isograds, that is, boundaries of equal metamorphic conditions. Slates are the products of low-grade regional metamorphism of argillaceous or politic sediments. As the metamorphic grade increases, slates give way to phyllites in which

somewhat larger crystals of chlorite and mica occur. Phyllites, in turn, give way to mica schists. A variety of minerals such as garnet [Fe3Al2(SiO4)3], kyanite (Al2SiO5) and staurolite [FeAl4Si2O10(OH)2] may be present in these schists, indicating formation at increasing temperatures. When sandstones are subjected to regional metamorphism, a quartzite develops that has agranoblastic (i.e. granular) texture. A micaceous sandstone or one in which there is an appreciable amount of argillaceous material, on metamorphism yields a quartz mica schist. Metamorphism of arkoses and feldspathic sandstones leads to the recrystallization of feldspar and quartz so that granulites with a granoblastic texture are produced. Relatively pure carbonate rocks when subjected to regional metamorphism simply recrystallize to form either calcite or dolomite marble with a granoblastic texture. Any silica present in a limestone tends to reform as quartz. The presence of micas in these rocks tends to give them a schistose appearance, schistose marbles or calc-schists being developed. Where mica is abundant, it forms lenses or continuous layers, giving the rock a foliated structure. In regionally metamorphosed rocks derived from acid igneous parents, quartz and white mica are important components, muscovite quartz schist being a typical product of the lower grades. In contrast, white mica is converted to potash feldspar at high grades. In the medium and high grades, quartzo feldspathic gneisses and granulites are common. Some of the gneisses are strongly foliated. Basic rocks are converted into greenschists by low-grade regional metamorphism, to amphibolites at medium grade, and to pyroxene granulites and eclogites at high grades.

Regional metamorphic rocks Slate is the low-grade rock in the beginning of the series, which is formed from sedimentary rocks such as shale and sandstone, when they are pushed down where temperatures and pressures increase. In the process, clay minerals turn into chlorite. Other minerals found in slate are andalusite, cordierite, mica, quartz and others. Like the other rocks in the series, slate has good cleavage. Phyllite

Phyllite. By geography stuff Phyllite may form from slate when the rock is pushed further down and the pressures and temperatures increase. Chlorite is still a common mineral, but quartz, feldspars and white mica such as muscovite are on increase. Phyllite is foliated and often has small scale folding. Schist

Schist. By brewbooks

Schist may form from phyllite when pressures and temperatures increase even more. There are different schists such as garnet, biotite, muscovite, kyanite schist and more. Most have flaky minerals, glittery appearance, and of course, the "schisty" texture with layers that break off easily. Garnet schist is a classic with beautiful dark red garnet minerals. Gneiss

Gneiss. By Shanschem

Gneiss may form from schist when temperatures and pressures increase even more. Garnet is commonly on decrease while other metamorphic minerals such as sillimanite and metamorphic K-feldspar may be on increase. Other minerals include quartz, micas, hornblende, pyroxene and others. Gneiss is known for its compositional banding with alterating dark and light layers, formed by high grade regional metamorphism in very high pressures and temperatures.

References 1. F.G Bell , Engineering geology, Second Edition, Regional metamorphism, pages 22 and 23. 2. Thompson and Turk, Introduction to physical geology, Metamorphic rocks, page 131. 3. http://www.collecting-rocks-and-minerals.com/regional-metamorphic.html 4. http://www.ask.com 5. Engineering encyclopedia, Saudi Aramco Desktop Standards, Petroleum Geology and Reservoirs, Metamorphic rocks.