"Metamorphic" redirects here. For other uses, see Metamorphic (disambiguation).
Quartzite, a type of metamorphic rockMetamorphic rock, deformed during the Variscan orogeny, at Vall de Cardós, Lérida, Spain
Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock to new types of rock in a process called metamorphism. The original rock (protolith) is subjected to temperatures greater than 150 to 200 °C (300 to 400 °F) and, often, elevated pressure of 100 megapascals (1,000 bar) or more, causing profound physical or chemical changes. During this process, the rock remains mostly in the solid state, but gradually recrystallizes to a new texture or mineral composition.[1] The protolith may be an igneous, sedimentary, or existing metamorphic rock.
Metamorphic rocks make up a large part of the Earth's crust and form 12% of the Earth's land surface.[2] They are classified by their protolith, their chemical and mineral makeup, and their texture. They may be formed simply by being deeply buried beneath the Earth's surface, where they are subject to high temperatures and the great pressure of the rock layers above. They can also form from tectonic processes such as continental collisions, which cause horizontal pressure, friction, and distortion. Metamorphic rock can be formed locally when rock is heated by the intrusion of hot molten rock called magma from the Earth's interior. The study of metamorphic rocks (now exposed at the Earth's surface following erosion and uplift) provides information about the temperatures and pressures that occur at great depths within the Earth's crust.
Some examples of metamorphic rocks are gneiss, slate, marble, schist, and quartzite. Slate[3] and quartzite[4] tiles are used in building construction. Marble is also prized for building construction[5] and as a medium for sculpture.[6] On the other hand, schist bedrock can pose a challenge for civil engineering because of its pronounced planes of weakness.[7]
^Yardley, B. W. D. (1989). An introduction to metamorphic petrology. Harlow, Essex, England: Longman Scientific & Technical. p. 5. ISBN 0582300967.
^Wilkinson, Bruce H.; McElroy, Brandon J.; Kesler, Stephen E.; Peters, Shanan E.; Rothman, Edward D. (2008). "Global geologic maps are tectonic speedometers – Rates of rock cycling from area-age frequencies". Geological Society of America Bulletin. 121 (5–6): 760–79. doi:10.1130/B26457.1.
^Schunck, Eberhard; Oster, Hans Jochen (2003). Roof Construction Manual : Pitched Roofs (2003 ed.). München: DE GRUYTER. ISBN 9783034615631.
^Powell, Darryl. "Quartzite". Mineral Information Institute. Archived from the original on 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
^"Marble" (PDF). Glossary of Terms. Marble Institute of America. p. 23-15. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
^PROCEEDINGS 4th International Congress on "Science and Technology for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Basin" VOL. I. Angelo Ferrari. p. 371. ISBN 9788896680315. white marble prized for use to make sculptures.
Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock to new types of rock in a process called metamorphism. The original rock (protolith)...
metamorphicrock, and sedimentary rock. Adakite – Volcanic rock type Andesite – Type of volcanic rock Alkali feldspar granite – Type of igneous rock rich...
common and widely distributed type of metamorphicrock. It is formed by high-temperature and high-pressure metamorphic processes acting on formations composed...
experimental petrology to understand metamorphic processes. Metamorphism is the set of processes by which existing rock is transformed physically or chemically...
rock cycle is a basic concept in geology that describes transitions through geologic time among the three main rock types: sedimentary, metamorphic,...
A metamorphic facies is a set of mineral assemblages in metamorphic rocks formed under similar pressures and temperatures. The assemblage is typical of...
Igneous rock (igneous from Latin igneus 'fiery'), or magmatic rock, is one of the three main rock types, the others being sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous...
a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous, metamorphicrock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through...
Schist (/ˈʃɪst/ SHIST) is a medium-grained metamorphicrock showing pronounced schistosity. This means that the rock is composed of mineral grains easily seen...
Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphicrock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and...
composition of a rock equilibrated can vary laterally through a metamorphic terrane. The two parameters together determine the metamorphic grade. The difference...
Unakite is a metamorphicrock that is altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and generally colorless quartz. It was first...
known as steatite or soaprock) is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphicrock. It is composed largely of the magnesium-rich mineral talc. It is produced...
cleavage. Mica is common in igneous and metamorphicrock and is occasionally found as small flakes in sedimentary rock. It is particularly prominent in many...
Marble is a metamorphicrock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2)) that have recrystallized under the...
metasedimentary rock is a type of metamorphicrock. Such a rock was first formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment. Then, the rock was buried...
minerals, it is abundant in igneous and metamorphicrock, and it is also common as a detrital mineral in sedimentary rock. It is not a single mineral, but is...
unmetamorphosed rock from which a given metamorphicrock is formed. For example, the protolith of a slate is a shale or mudstone. Metamorphic rocks can be...
andesine. Minor minerals include epidote, zoisite, garnet, and sphene. Metamorphic textures in these rocks can either be schistose or gneissic. They transition...
makes way for metamorphism, the process that forms metamorphicrock. The color of a sedimentary rock is often mostly determined by iron, an element with...
naming of a lithology is based on the rock type. The three major rock types are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed directly...
chromium rich phyllitic or schistose metamorphic rocks of the greenschist facies. Verdite is a type of metamorphicrock made mostly of an impure, often multicolored...
; Harte, B.; Davis, E.; Desmons, J. (2007). "How to name a metamorphicrock.". Metamorphic Rocks: A Classification and Glossary of Terms: Recommendations...
Nuummite is a rare metamorphicrock that consists of the amphibole minerals gedrite and anthophyllite. It is named after the area of Nuuk in Greenland...
US: /ˈlæz(j)əli, ˈlæʒə-, -ˌli/), or lapis for short, is a deep-blue metamorphicrock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity...
Petrology has three subdivisions: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology. Igneous and metamorphic petrology are commonly taught together because...
(actinolite). Greenschist is a general field petrologic term for metamorphic or altered mafic volcanic rock. In Europe, the term prasinite is sometimes used. A greenstone...
temperature exceeds that of the initial heating.[citation needed] For metamorphic rocks, there are certain principles for measuring the decrepitations...
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