Metamorphic Textures

Recrystallization: Minimization of Interfacial

Free Energy by Minimizing Surface Area

Sandstone Quartzite

Crack
Recrystallization

Cement Crack Crack

Recrystallization of a Bi-minerallic Rock
 a) interfacial free energy of AA =
AB; dihedral angle (q) is thus 120o

 b) interfacial free energy of AA >

AB; dihedral angle decreases to
decrease surface area of AA

Plagioclase

Cpx
 Recrystallization of Quartz-Mica Rock
 Interfacial free energy of Quartz-Mica >> Quartz-Quartz
 Interfacial angle increases from 120o to 180o
 Decussate Texture

Aggregate of mica grains in which most interfaces are

parallel to {001}. This occurs because the surface energy of
the {001} face is substantially lower than that of other faces,
e.g. {110}. The texture may also be developed by other
minerals.
Granoblastic/Decussate Textures (Characteristic
of Contact or Thermal Metamorphism)
 Porphyroblast development
 Nucleation of new crystals requires
excess free energy
 If
the nucleation energy is high,
growth is favoured and
porphyroblasts form
 Porphyroblasts will be euhedral
if their faces have high energy
 Crystalloblastic Series

1. Titanite, rutile, pyrite, spinel Most Euhedral

2. Garnet, sillimanite, staurolite, tourmaline
3. Epidote, magnetite, ilmenite
4. Andalusite, pyroxene, amphibole
5. Mica, chlorite, dolomite, kyanite
6. Calcite, vesuvianite, scapolite
7. Feldspar, quartz, cordierite Least Euhedral
 Textural Effects of Differential Stress
Stressed grains store strain energy released during metamorphism
by clearing defects and dislocations (polygonization)
Undulose extinction

Subgrain development
Defects Dislocations and Deformation

Defects

Dislocation
Deformation by Dislocation
 Pressure Solution

Differential stress produces

serated grain boundaries
 Foliation Development
s1
S1 Schistocity S1 flattened around
garnet porphyroblasts

S2

S1 Crenulation cleavage S2
developed by folding S1
 Pressure Shadows

Chlorite in shadow
around garnet

Quartz in shadow
around staurolite
 Pressure Fringes

Staurolite

Pyrite
Sillimanite
Muscovite
Metamorphic Mineral Growth
Relative to Deformation
 Pre-tectonic Textures

Undulose extinction
Pressure shadows

Pressure fringes Crenulation cleavage

Micro-boudinage Deformation twins

Syn-tectonic Texture
Snowball Garnet with Pressure Shadows
 Post-tectonic Textures

Randomly oriented crystals Polygonal arc

Helicitic folds

Chiastolite Overgrowth on snowball Pseudomorph

Polymetamorphism
Stages in Polymetamorphism (S0, S1)
Stages in Polymetamorphism (S2)
Stages in Polymetamorphism (S3)
Corona Textures