CHAPTER 3.

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METAMORPHIC
ROCKS

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LEARNING OUTCOME

LO

Differentiate the types of -Identify the characteristic

metamorphic rock and its of Metamorphic Rock
history -Understand the
significant of Metamorphic
Rock in Civil Engineering

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What is metamorphic rock?

The rock that being formed through metamorphism process

What is metamorphism?

The alteration process in rocks caused by either the

excessive pressure, temperature or chemical impacts,
and impose direct transformation on the minerals to
produce either new type of rocks or other related
occurrence (meta=change, morphe=form/shape)

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 AGENTS OF METAMORPHISM

TEMPERATURE

PRESSURE

CHEMICAL ACTION FLUID

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Normal increases in and

with depth in earth are sufficient to initiate

metamorphic activity.

The changes occur in order to restore equilibrium

in rocks that have been subjected to new
environments.

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A) TEMPERATURE

Temperature is the major cause and important agent

of metamorphism.

The temperature in the crust at depth of 15km is

approximately 300C.

It is noted also the temperature increases as the

depth increase.

This temperature is sufficient for recrystallisation for

some minerals to begin.

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As the rock temperature rises, minerals begin to change
from solid state to liquid state and amount of pore fluid in
rocks increases.

Heat reduces the ability of rock to withstand deformation

and increase the rate of chemical reactions which facilitate
the production of new minerals. i.e new atomic
arrangement.

Heat is provided by the nearby intrusions of magma or

associated with compression of the crust.

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 B) PRESSURE
The effect of pressure varies at different depths in
the crust.

Rocks at shallow depths are relatively cold and

brittle, so they can be altered e.g fracture or crack
when subjected to high pressures.

At greater depths, rocks are much softer because

of high temperatures.

Under action of pressure, they tend to deform by

plastic flow.

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 In the region of plastic deformation, pressure
influences the types of new minerals
formed and are more tightly packed atomic
structure and thus has greater density.

Pressure is derived from deep below the earth

surface and also associated with the collision of
tectonic plates

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C) CHEMICAL ACTION FLUIDS (Chemically
active solutions)

Rocks that re-crystallize during the metamorphism does

not actually melt but occur in a solid phase state.

The minerals are greatly facilitated by movement of

small amounts of liquid or gaseous solutions through the
rock which acts as a medium of transport for ions.

These solutions which travel through the pores and

cracks of the rocks, add and remove various ions and
molecules as the reactions occur.

In this way new chemical constituents can be brought

in contact with mineral grains so that they may diffuse
through the mineral structures during recrystallisation. 13
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C) CHEMICAL ACTION FLUIDS cont

Water may also react as solvent to form another

minerals.

Water can be derived from:

- Entrapped water in parent sedimentary

rocks at time of deposition
- Large watery liquid and vapors from magma
- Small amount of water from hydrous minerals

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 TYPES OF METAMORPHISM

CONTACT

REGIONAL

DYNAMIC

RETROGRADE

AUTOMETAMORPHISM

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A) CONTACT METAMORPHISM

Occurs when country rocks are surrounded by igneous

intrusion and altered by intruding magma.

Physical changes such as recrystallisation occur due to

contact metamorphism when original minerals in
country rock are permeated by magmatic fluid.

For example, limestone intruded by hot magma may

be altered from distance of few inches to several
miles from line of contact between two rocks.

Heat is the most significant influence in contact

metamorphism. Metamorphic rock form in a baked zone
of the altered country rock
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B) REGIONAL METAMORPHISM

The zones of rock alteration are much more

extensive (large scale) than rocks altered
under contact metamorphism.

Regional metamorphism occurs due to the

effects of both pressure and temperature.
The rock layers undergo structural
deformation (folded, crushed or
fractured) due to great pressures exerted
on it.

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 Regional metamorphism must occur deep
within the crust, at least at depths of 10km or
more and is known to be responsible for the
forming of mountain ranges.

Specific group of minerals present in rock

can be used to infer a certain metamorphic
grade. Rocks subjected to high temperatures
and pressures are of high grade. Under
various metamorphic grades, different minerals
can be produced from the same original rock.

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Regional Metamorphism

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C) DYNAMIC / DISLOCATION METAMORPHISM

Causes only the structural alteration of rock through

pressure. The minerals in the altered rocks do not change
chemically. The subordinate process of stress and
temperature in rock that cause the shearing movement of the
rock mass to produce the cataclastic rocks or minerals (fine
grained rock).
D) RETROGRADE METAMORPHISM

Low grade metamorphism that normally caused by pressure

Impact: Fissuring process of forming Schist or gneiss.

E) AUTOMETAMORPHISM

The chemical fluid refilling process in rock minerals during

the cooling of the rock mass.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF METAMORPHIC ROCK

FOLIATED NON - FOLIATED

SLATE

MARBLE
PHYLLITE

QUARTZITE
SCHIST

GNEISS

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Under metamorphism, rocks may undergo changes in
their mineral composition leading to formation of new
minerals and changes in textures. Texture of
metamorphic rocks:-

Foliated Metamorphic Rock

This is the parallel orientation of mineral grains within a
metamorphic rock which resembles the bedding of
sedimentary rocks

Foliation gives metamorphic rocks a banded or layered

appearance and associated with the regional
metamorphism where tectonic stress is the major factor

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Foliation occurs when tectonic stresses acting on
rocks are applied in one principal direction and the
greatest pressure usually acts perpendicularly to the
axis of the mineral grains
Types of Foliated Metamorphic Rock
(i) Slate

Very fine-grained
Excellent rock cleavage
Most often generated from low grade
metamorphism of shale, mudstone, or siltstone

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(ii) Phyllite

Gradation in the degree of metamorphism

between slate and schist
Platy minerals not large enough to be
identified with the unaided eye
Glossy sheen and wavy surfaces
Exhibits rock cleavage
Composed mainly of fine crystals of
muscovite and/or chlorite

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Phyllite (left) and Slate (right) lack visible mineral grains

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(iii) Schist

Medium- to coarse-grained

Platy minerals predominate

Commonly include the micas

The term schist describes the texture

To indicate composition, mineral

names are used (such as mica schist)
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A mica garnet schist
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(iv) Gneiss

Medium- to coarse-grained

Banded appearance

High-grade metamorphism

Often composed of white or light

colored feldspar-rich layers with bands
of dark ferromagnesian minerals

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Gneiss typically displays a banded appearance

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Non Foliated Metamorphic Rock
Those metamorphic rocks that lack foliation are
referred to as non foliated

Develop in environments where deformation

is minimal

Typically composed of minerals that exhibit

equidimensional crystals

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(i) Marble

Coarse, crystalline

Parent rock was limestone or dolostone

Composed essentially of calcite or dolomite

crystals

Used as a decorative and monument stone

Exhibits a variety of colors

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Marble a nonfoliated metamorphic rock

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(ii) Quartzite
Formed from a parent rock of quartz-rich
sandstone
Quartz grains are fused together

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 METAMORPHIC ROCK cont.

ORIGINAL ROCKS METAMORPHIC ROCK

Sedimentary Rock
Sandstone Quartzite
Shale Slate, Phyllite, Schist
Limestone Marble

Igneous Rock
Granitic textured igneous rock Gneiss
Compac textured igneous rock Schist

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METAMORPHIC ROCK cont.

Unaltered and unfractured non-foliated

metamorphic rocks are considered strong
materials and posses similar engineering
properties to intrusive igneous rocks. Few
limitations for foundations, tunnels and dams and
remain stable for vertical excavation slopes.

Foliated metamorphic rocks are more similar to

sedimentary rocks because of their tendency to
fail along specific planes.

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