Schist

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SCHIST

Mica Schist - This schist clearly shows foliation as a

layering in the rock. Upon closer inspection of the mica shows that the sheets
are stacked in a very parallel manner. This is further indication of the the
influence of pressure acting on the rock.

Garnetiferous Mica Schist Schists are often name according to the conspicuous minerals that it contains.
Here garnet crystals are conspicuous.

Muscovite Mica Schist - This schist displays

crenulations caused by differential stresses. The foliation in a metamorphic
rock forms parallel to these stresses. In this sample there was more than on
direction of compressional force.

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Tourmaline Mica Schist - Note the sub parallel

alignment of the tourmaline crystals. This is another example of foliation.
Schists represent a more elevated degree of heat and pressure that phyllites.
Within the solid state, the micaceous minerals of the phyllite begin to rearrange
their crystalline structure to form new minerals stable at higher temperatures
and pressures. Foliation is still very evident by layering or the parallel
alignment of mineral grains.
Here are some images of a field occurrence of Schist from the Buckeye Hills
area of central Arizona.

parallel layers of schist.

Within this rubbly surface note the strike of

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This picture is of a small quarry about 100

feet south of where the above picture was taken.

This image is a close up of the main layer

of schist that was worked in this area. The area around Buckeye Hills has
numerous small scale workings like this one. The schist was used in the
manufacture of joint compound for drywall.

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