Topic 8 (Metamorphosis)
Topic 8 (Metamorphosis)
Topic 8 (Metamorphosis)
LIFE
SCIENCE
Competency:
•Describe the physical
and chemical changes
in rocks due to changes
in pressure and
temperature
(metamorphism)
METAMORPHISM
•Metamorphism is the process by which rocks
change their mineral composition and texture due
to high pressure, high temperature, and/or
chemically active fluids, without melting
Key Concepts:
•Parent Rock – original rocks before metamorphism
• Metamorphic rocks – resulting rocks after
metamorphism
ACTIVITY:
•Make a group consisting of 4 members
•Read the text and answer the questions
•Discuss the answers
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. How are metamorphic rocks different
compared to sedimentary and igneous rocks?
2. Differentiate the metamorphic rock to its
parent rock
3. Cite the different agents of metamorphism.
4. Describe the different examples of
metamorphic processes.
5. Enumerate the uses of metamorphic rocks
METAMORPHISM
INTRODUCTION
The word "Metamorphism" comes from
the Greek: Meta t= change, Morph =
form, so metamorphism means to
change form. In geology this refers to
the changes in mineral assemblage and
texture that result from subjecting a
rock to pressures and temperatures
different from those under which the
rock originally formed.
Metamorphic rock
Heat
Pressure
Chemical activity
Fluid phase
HEAT
Heat is the most important agent of metamorphism.
Normally a geothermal gradient increases in temperature with depth at about
30°C per kilometer.
The gradient is much higher in some areas, for example at the edges of continents
where one oceanic plate dives under another or where plutons have become
embedded in the crust.
The first minerals that begin to change are clays, then others that are more stable
begin to change as the temperature increases.
It usually takes burial to 20KM or more for feldspars to begin to metamorphose .
PRESSURE
If rock is in contact or close to magma then the heat bakes the nearby
rock just around the magma. (also called thermal metamorphism)
Occurs adjacent to igneous intrusions and results from high temperatures
associated with the igneous intrusion.
Contact metamorphism is usually referred to as high temperature, low
pressure metamorphism.
Contact metamorphism
REGIONAL METAMORPHISM
When a large meteorite collides with the Earth, the kinetic energy is
converted to heat and a high pressure shock wave that propagates into the
rock at the impact site.
The heat may be enough to raise the temperature to the melting
temperature of the earth rock.
The shock wave produces high enough pressure to cause quartz to change
its crystal structure to more a dense polymorph like coesite or stishovite.
Ancient meteorite impact sites have been discovered on the basis of
finding this evidence of shock metamorphism
FAULT ZONE METAMORPHISM
•Sheet-like
structure, larger
platy minerals.
GNEISS
Banded or foliated,
from granite.
MARBLE
From limestone,
used in sculpture
and architecture
QUARTZITE
From sandstone,
very hard
PHYLLITE
Between slate
and schist,
glossy sheen
AMPHIBOLITE
From basalt or
gabbro,
amphibole
minerals.
MYLONITE
Layered/banded from fault
zones
GREENSTONE
Green due to chlorite,
altered basalt.
ECLOGITE
High-pressure, green
pyroxene and red garnet
METAMORPHIC ROCKS AND ROCK CYCLE
Answer: B
2. Which metamorphic rock is formed from
limestone?
A. Marble
B. Quartzite
C. Schist
D. Amphibolite
Answer: A
3. What texture is commonly associated
with schist?
A. Slaty
B. Gneissic
C. Schistose
D. Granular
Answer: C
4. Which type of metamorphism occurs when rocks
are subjected to high pressure and temperature
over large areas, such as in mountain-building
regions?
A. Contact Metamorphism
B. Hydrothermal Metamorphism
C. Regional Metamorphism
D. Dynamic Metamorphism
Answer: C
5. How can you identify quartzite?
Answer: B
Homework
Givetwo examples of how the Earth
system’s four parts can interact with
each other.
Example: Animals (biosphere) can wear paths
in Earth’s surface (geosphere).
Identify
the parts involved in the
following scenarios:
Wind blows a sailboat across a lake.
A bear digs under a log to search for good.