GEOS 444 Lecture Topics

3/28/05

Introduction to Metamorphism
1. Basic Metamorphic Processes
2. Metamorphic Rock Classification and Facies
3. Index Minerals, Isograds, Facies Series

Read Chapter 21, 22, 25 (496-500)

Bear Mtn Field Trip, Sat. 4/2, Lot 28 8:00am, bring
lunch + H2O
Igneous Mid-term due Thursday, -5% per day late!

Importance
1. Mineral Resources
2. Mountain Building Events
3. History of Continental Crust

Uncut Ruby and Sapphire

Metamorphic Petrology
Metamorphic rocks
usually record peak
metamorphic conditions

Use specific mineral(s)

to determine P-T
Index Minerals
(Example: Garnet)

Metamorphism
Changes in rocks due to increasing P-T conditions and/or
interaction with fluids.

Metamorphism usually involves changes in:

mineralogy formation of metamorphic minerals
texture development of metamorphic fabrics

Metamorphic Conditions

All changes occur in the SOLID state between ~100C and 800 C
Solid State Recrystallization = Metamorphism
Metamorphic Grade refers to general P-T conditions

 High-temperature limit grades into melting

Migmatites (mixed rocks) are gradational

Agents of Metamorphism

Temperature

Pressure:
1. lithostatic - uniform P, due to weight of overlying
rock; 1 kb (0.1 GPa) = 3.3 km depth.
2. differential (deviatoric) unequal P in different
directions; produces metamorphic rock structures.

Fluids:
H2O-dominated CO2. Derived from metamorphic
reactions (internal) or magmatic fluids (external).

Types of Metamorphism

Two main types at tectonically active regions:

(1) Contact Metamorphism

(2) Regional Metamorphism

Contact Metamorphism
thermal metamorphism due
to heat of igneous intrusions
narrow zones (<1 km wide)

Contact Metamorphism

thermal metamorphism at high T low P conditions

Types of Metamorphism

Two main types at tectonically active regions:

(1) Contact Metamorphism

(2) Regional Metamorphism

Regional Metamorphism
Large, regional areas of crust affected (thousands of km2); one or
more episodes of orogeny with combined elevated geothermal
gradients and deformation
Associated with mountain building processes at convergent plate
boundaries (subduction zones; collision zones)
Examples: Andes, Himalayas, Appalachians
Full range of P-T metamorphic conditions; foliated rocks are a
characteristic product

Regional Metamorphism

low to high P-T conditions

GEOS 444 Lecture Topics

3/28/05

Introduction to Metamorphism
1. Basic Metamorphic Processes
2. Metamorphic Rock Classification and Facies
3. Index Minerals, Isograds, Facies Series

Read Chapter 21, 22, 25 (496-500)

Bear Mtn Field Trip, Sat. 4/2, Lot 28 8:00am, bring
lunch + H2O
Igneous Mid-term due Thursday, -5% per day late!

Non-foliated

Foliated

Common Metamorphic Fabrics

Slaty Cleavage

Schistocity

Gneissic Banding

Origin of
Metamorphic
Foliation

Produced by differential stress

Compressive

Shearing

Shearing

Compression

Granite

Granitic Gniess

aligned micas (muscovite)

Broad Compositional Categories

based on mineralogy and textures ultimately
inherited from the protolith.

Protolith = rock type prior to metamorphism

Quartz Sandstone

(a) Limestone (fiossiliferous)

Shale

Schist

3 Most Important Compositional Categories

1. Pelites derived from Al-rich, fine-grained clastic
sediments (shales, siltstones). Classic slate-phylliteschist-gneiss sequence.

2. Calcareous derived from carbonate rocks

(limestones, dolostones, shaly ls). Marbles, calcsilicate rocks.

3. Mafic and Ultramafic ultramafic to mafic igneous

rocks. Greenstones, amphibolites, granulites.

P-T Classification
Metamorphic Facies - is a set of compatible
mineral assemblages in metamorphic rocks that
occur over a relatively restricted range of P-T
conditions for a variety of protolith compositions.

If we find rocks with these minerals in the field, then

a certain facies (P-T conditions) may be assigned to
the area.
Facies are simply broad characterizations of the P-T
conditions experienced in an area. They are

 Facies are defined by specific mineral assemblages, dependent

on P-T and protolith composition.
Facies boundaries are defined by important mineral reactions
and the appearance of distinctive minerals.

IMPORTANT CONCEPT:
Metamorphic assemblages are a function of P-T
and protolith chemistry
Different protoliths will yield different
mineral assemblages at = P-T conditions

GEOS 444 Lecture Topics

3/28/05

Introduction to Metamorphism
1. Basic Metamorphic Processes
2. Metamorphic Rock Classification and Facies
3. Index Minerals, Isograds, Facies Series

Read Chapter 21, 22, 25 (496-500)

Bear Mtn Field Trip, Sat. 4/2, Lot 28 8:00am, bring
lunch + H2O
Igneous Mid-term due Thursday, -5% per day late!

Interpretation of Metamorphic P-T Conditions???

Facies boundaries are defined by important mineral reactions and

the appearance of distinctive minerals.

Interpretation of Metamorphic P-T Conditions???

Metamorphic rocks
usually record peak
metamorphic conditions

Use specific mineral(s)

to determine P-T
Index Minerals
(Example: Garnet)

Concept of Index Minerals

Index Minerals
Chlorite,
biotite, garnet,
kyanite,
sillimanite

Need to exist
over narrow
P-T range

Geologic Mapping of Metamorphic Terranes

Index minerals are mapped into zones with equivalent P-T conditions
Boundaries between zones are called isograds (lines of equal P-T)

Metamorphic zones are higher resolution P-T

estimates based on a single protolith (e.g. pelites)

Geothermobarometry
Precise P-T from composition of co-existing minerals pairs
Use instrument called electron microprobe (x-rays analysis)
Example: Garnet-biotite thermometer

garnet
biotite

Plate Tectonics and Metamorphism

Facies Series
A traverse up grade through a metamorphic terrane should
follow one of several possible P-T trajectories and, if
extensive enough, cross through a sequence of facies

Variable P-T Conditions in a Convergent Plate Setting

Low P, high T

high P and T
high P, low T

Low P/T

Med P/T
High P/T

Facies Series
Miyashiro (1961) initially proposed five facies series,
most of them named for a specific representative type
locality The series were:
1. Contact Facies Series (very low-P)
2. Buchan or Abukuma Facies Series (low-P
regional)
3. Barrovian Facies Series (medium-P regional)
4. Sanbagawa Facies Series (high-P, moderate-T)
5. Franciscan Facies Series (high-P, low T)

Barrovian Facies Series (Medium P)

Chlorite zone
Biotite zone.
Garnet zone.
Staurolite zone.
Kyanite zone.
Sillimanite zone.

Buchan Facies Series (Low P)

Chlorite zone
Biotite zone.
Cordierite zone.
Andalusite zone.
Sillimanite zone.

The stability field of andalusite occurs at pressures less than

0.37 GPa (~ 10 km), while kyanite sillimanite at the
sillimanite isograd only above this pressure

Barrovian

Buchan

Buchan

Barrovian
Franciscan

Paired Metamorphic Belts

Low P/T Series

High P/T Series

= Low P, High T
= High P, Low T

Low P, High T
High P, Low T