Metamorphic Processes

Metamorphic Processes

1. transition of one rock into another by change in temperature and/or pressure

   • Agents
     • Heat
       • contact metamorphism
       • geothermal gradient
     • Pressure
       • confining pressure
       • differential stress
     • Circulating Fluids
       • hydrothermal alteration
       • aids in recrystallization

2. Regional

   • Mountain Building
   • Convergent Boundaries
   • large scale

3. Contact

   • igneous intrusion and surrounding rock
   • High Temp
   • local scale
   • Common margin of magma chambers

4. Hydrothermal

   • chemical alteration
   • metals precipitate in a fracture
     • deposited from a water solution in pores

5. Texture

   • Foliation
     • Med-High Grade
     • High Grade
       • gneiss
     • Low Grade
   • NonFoliated
     • Marble
     • quartzite