What are Metamorphic Rocks?

Metamorphic rocks have been modified by heat, pressure, and chemical processes, usually
while buried deep below Earth's surface. Exposure to these extreme conditions has altered the
mineralogy, texture, and chemical composition of the rocks.

So, what does the heat do to the rock? It bakes the rock. Baked rock does not melt, but it does
change. It forms crystals. If it has crystals already, it forms larger crystals. Because this rock changes, it is
called metamorphic. Metamorphosis can occur in rock when they are heated to 300 to 700 degrees
Celsius though in order to do so the rock must not melt making a new form of rock.

There are two basic types of metamorphic rocks.

Foliated metamorphic rocks have a layered or banded appearance that is produced by exposure
to heat and directed pressure.

Non-foliated metamorphic rocks such as do not have a layered or banded appearance.

Foliated metamorphic rocks

Lapis Lazuli – a famous rare gem is actually a foliated

metamorphic rock and unlike other gems, Lapis is not a mineral
its compose of many minerals.

Gneiss - a foliated metamorphic rock identified by its bands

and lenses of varying composition, while other bands contain
granular minerals with an interlocking texture.

Non-foliated metamorphic rocks

Amphibolite -non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms through

recrystallization under conditions of high viscosity and directed
pressure.
 Hornfells- fine-grained non-foliated metamorphic rock with no
specific composition. It is produced by contact metamorphism.

Types of metamorphism
Contact metamorphism- occurs when rocks are heated by a very hot materials such as magma,
lava or cooling plitonic bodies. The resulting metamorphic rocks surround the heat source and form a
metamorphic halo. Rocks that are formed by contact metamorphism are usually non foliated

Since contact metamorphism is not caused by changes in pressure or by differential stress, rocks
that are formed through contact metamorphism do not foliated.

Regional metamorphism- occurs over a wide area, it is associated with mountain building
processes such as along a convergent boundaries. As the crust squeezed together the rocks are expose
to great pressures. Portions of the crust are thrust upwards forming mountain ranges, the other portion
are shoved deeper into the earth making it expose to heat and more pressure. Rocks that are formed
by regional metamorphism are usually foliated.

Metamorphism related to fault zones- some metamorphic rocks are formed along fault zones.
At the surface of the earth, fault movements lead to grinding , crushing and pulverizing of rocks. The
resulting mixture of powdered and distorted rock fragments are called fault breccias. Deeper into the
earth, the rocks do not break but flow. Making an elongated and acquire a foliated or lineated
appearance. These are called mylonites.
 Agents of metamorphism
Heat- the heat may come from hot materials such as magma. As magma rises, the path that it
has taken will encounter and metamorphosed rocks and other minerals because of the intense heat
coming from the magma. Rocks can be metamorphosed without having a contact with magma as the
rocks buries deeper and deeper, they will be exposed in great heats since temperature increase with
depth.

Pressure- like temperature, pressure increases too with dept. rocks thatare formed at the
surface on earth and later buried deeply will be affected by the pressures underground. Minerals in the
rocks will become unstable and transform into new minerals that can be stable at higher pressures.
Pressure does not only come from deep burial alone. It may also come from other great collision form
great masses.

Chemically active fluids – these fluids are commonly aqueous in composition. Water helps in
metamorphism ny moving ions from place to place. The ons react with a rock’s components to produce
a new rock