Metamorphism

Changes in Mineral Components and Texture of Rocks

It comes from the Greek word “meta” means change

and “morphe” means form
What is Metamorphism?
• Metamorphism is the change that takes place within a body of rock as
a result of being subjected to conditions that are different from those
in which it is formed.
• Take note of the key word: “change”
• Take note of the phrase: “conditions” and “different from which it is
formed”
Metamorphi
c Rocks
They are formed at the surface
of the Earth through the process
of metamorphism with
recrystallization of minerals in
rocks due to changes in pressure
and temperature
Main Factors of Metamorphism
Main Factors

Chemically active
Heat Pressure
fluids
Heat
• Heat is the most important
factor because it provides the
energy to drive chemical
changes which results to the
crystallization of minerals
• Heat increases as depth
increases
Pressure
• Pressure just like heat, also
increases with depth, and the
buried rocks are subjected to
the force or stress.
Chemically
Reactive
Fluid
• Chemically active fluids enhanced
the metamorphic process
• The common fluid which helps the
chemical activity is water-
containing ions in solution
• As the rocks buried deeply, the
water is forced out of the rock and
become available to aide chemical
reactions
 Metamorphic
Type of Rock Rock

Contact Regional
Type of Metamorphism
Metamorphism Metamorphism

Main Factors Involved

Heat Reactive Fluids Pressure

Metamorphism does not actually melt the rocks but transform them into denser, compact rocks.
Minerals may also be rearranged due to chemical reactions involving fluids that enter rocks
The two types of metamorphism
Contact Metamorphism Regional Metamorphism
• Happens magma introduces great • During mountain building, great
amount of heat into an existing rock, quantities of tock are subjected
by being in contact with it and
resulting in the recrystallization and
to pressures and high
mineral reaction in the rock temperatures
• Magma heats adjacent rock to high
temperatures that cause metamorphic
changes
• Usually contact metamorphism creates
non-foliated metamorphic rocks
What happens during
mountain building?
Rocks are subjected to differential
stress during mountain building.

Differential stress is different from

confining pressure or stress in
deposition of sediments
What happens to
rocks in differential
pressure?
Rocks become foliated
when differential pressure is
continuously applied.

Foliation or lineation is the

formation of bands or lines
in a rock

They flatten to the direction

where differential pressure
is the maximum.
 Tell me something
about
“metamorphism”

Metamorph “Meta” = change

“Morphe” = form

ism Map  Classification of

metamorphic

Lineated/foliated
rocks
Where are
metamorphic
rocks formed?

Non-foliated Near magma During mountain

(projects
(projects heat) chambers building
pressure)

Heating & Differential

Gneiss Hornfels
Recrystallization pressure

metamorphic rock
Examples of
Contact Regional
Slate Quartzite
metamorphism metamorphism

Types of metamorphism
Schist Marble