METASOMATISM

•Metasomatism can be defined as metamorphic change which involves

the introduction of new material from an external source.
•Lindgren (1925) defined metasomatism as “an essentially
simultaneous molecular process of solution and deposition by which,
in the presence of a fluid phase.

•Metasomatism involves a change in whole rock chemical

composition (Thompson, 1959).
•Metasomatism is a constant volume process (Lindgren, 1925).
Metasomatism takes place without change of volume of the rock
affected, and the space for precipitation of the new mineral is
provided by simultaneous solution of that which it replaces. This is
known as “Low of constancy of volume”. But it is not universal.
•In most rocks affected by metasomatism, the textural details of the
parent rocks are faithfully preserved.
 Types of metasomatism
Based on geological environment, Eskola (1939) recognized five broad
types of metasomatism on the basis of geological environment. They are:
(a) Alkali metasomatism
(b) Lime metasomatism
(c) Iron-megnesia-silicate metasomatism
(d) Si, Sn,B, Li, F, Cl, S metasomatism
(e) Carbondioxide metasomatism

V.A. Zharikov et al (2007)recognized the following common types of

metasomatism according to their geological position.

• Regional metasomatism
• Near vein metasomatism
• Bi-Metasomatism
• Boundary metasomatism
• Auto metasomatism
 Mantle metasomatism

Mantle metasomatism is a geological process that alters the composition

of Earth’s mantle . It occurs when hot, fluid-rich materials interact with
the solid rock of the mantle, changing its chemical makeup. This process
can enrich the mantle in certain elements, which can then influence the
composition of the magma that eventually erupts at the surface.

Fig :mantle metasomatism caused by silicate and carbonate melts

 TYPES OF MANTLE METASOMATISM
1. The first one is called patent or modal metasomatism in which the
original minerals undergo textural recrystallization and are replaced
by entirely new minerals within the mantle rocks. For example, an
olivine-orthopyroxene assemblage (harzburgite) may be modally
metasomatized to a new mineral assemblage of amphibole and
clinopyroxene.

2. The second type is cryptic metasomatism where certain minor and

trace elements are enriched by substitution in existing phases without
textural changes or growth of new mineral.
For example, original clinopyroxene may be made more Fe- rich, but
the subtle chemical changes may not be obvious, hence the
designation cryptic (hidden) metasomatism
Mantle metasomatism has been attributed to a variety of:
(1) processes, (2) sources, and (3) melt–fluid compositions.

Fig: Effects of different processes on mantle sulfides