Introduction to Metamorphic Petrology

Scope of Metamorphic petrology

 Metamorphic petrology is the study of the subsolidus
changes that a rock undergoes when exposed to
physicochemical conditions different from those prevailing
near the surface of the Earth.

 Metamorphism produces changes in mineral assemblages

and textures that reflect re-equilibration of the rock to the
new physicochemical conditions, i.e., minimization of the
energy of the system.

Metamorphism is commonly isochemical (except for volatile

components, e.g., H2O, CO2). Where the system is open, the
process is referred to as metasomatism.
What is Metamorphism?
Metamorphism signifies solid state transformation of
crustal rocks, involving changes in mineral
composition and textures (microtextures) under the
influence of changing physico-chemical conditions
prevailing at the time of their formation
 Metamorphic Reactions

Dehydration
KAl3Si3O10(OH)2 + SiO2 = KAlSi3O8 + AlSi2O5 + H2O
Muscovite Quartz K-Feldspar Sillimanite
Decarbonation
CaCO3 + SiO2 = CaSiO3 + CO2
Calcite Quartz Wollastonite

Solid-Solid
NaAlSi3O8 = NaAlSi2O6 + SiO2
Albite Jadeite Quartz
Prograde and Retrograde Metamorphism

Retrograde Path

Prograde Path
 Metamorphic Facies

 A metamorphic facies is a domain of

Pressure-Temperature Space

 Metamorphic facies are defined by

characteristic mineral assemblages specific
to particular bulk-rock compositions
Conditions of Metamorphism and
Metamorphic Facies
 Types of Metamorphism

 Contact or Thermal Metamorphism

 Regional Metamorphism
 Orogenic Metamorphism
 Burial Metamorphism
 Ocean Floor Metamorphism
 Hydrothermal Metamorphism
(Alteration)
 Impact or Shock Metamorphism
Contact or Thermal Metamorphism
Contact Metamorphism of Limestone

Limestone

Marble

Diabase

Marble

Limestone
Thermally Metamorphosed Clastic Sediments

Plagioclase

Garnet Pyroxene
Orogenic Metamorphism
Orogenic Metamorphism
Orogenic Metamorphism and differential stress
Foliation (or Cleavage) and Lineation

1

 1 > 2 = 3  foliation and no lineation

 1 = 2 > 3  lineation and no foliation
 1 > 2 > 3  both foliation and lineation
 Onset of Orogenic Metamorphism
Shale Slate

ding
Bed

age
av
Cle
Bedding
Progressive Orogenic Metamorphism
Phyllite Schist
Progressive Orogenic Metamorphism
Gneiss
Anatexis
Anatexis or Partial Melting of Metasedimentary
Rocks (Migmatites)
Burial Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism
Subduction Metamorphism
Paired Metamorphic Belts

Amphibolite Facies

Blueschist Facies
Subduction Metamorphism
Ocean Floor Metamorphism
Ocean Floor Metamorphism
Metamorphic Isograd Mapping (Index Minerals)

The process of metamorphism is

associated with the formation of
particular metamorphic minerals.
Some silicate minerals are so
diagnostic of metamorphism that
their presence indicates that the
rock is metamorphic. These
mineral are known as index
minerals and include andalusite,
kyanite, staurolite and
sillimanite. Some other minerals,
such as garnet, muscovite,
feldspar, quartz and micas, are
also used.
 Metamorphic Cordierite
(Mg,Fe)2Al4Si5O18
Index Minerals
(Porphyroblasts)

Staurolite
(Fe,Mg)2Al9Si4O23(OH) Garnet
(Fe,Mg)3Al2Si3O12
 The Aluminosilicates Al2SiO5

Andalusite Kyanite

Sillimanite

Sillimanite
 Metamorphic Isograds and P-T Paths

Barrow Zones Buchan Zones

Aluminosilcates as Indicators of
Metamorphic Grade
Metamorphic reactions and metamorphic grade
Muscovite + Quartz = K-feldspar + sillimanite + H2O

Muscovite

Quartz Sillimanite

K-feldspar
 Metamorphic Facies and Isograds
Oslo: K-Feldspar- Cordierite Orijärvi: Biotite-muscovite

2 KMg3AlSi3O10(OH)2 + 6 KAl2AlSi3O10(OH)2 (Ms) + 15 SiO2

= 3 Mg2Al4Si5O18 + 8 KAlSi3O8 + 8 H2O
Facies Series
Pressure-Temperature-Time Paths