GL2008 Laboratory & Field Techniques

Petrography of Metamorphic Rocks

Jeremy Preston

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 METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY

WHAT IS METAMORPHISM?

Metamorphism means the processes of change, whereby an original igneous or sedimentary rock
recrystallises in response to new conditions of temperature and pressure. Most metamorphic rocks will
retain some characteristics of their parent rock (protolith), such as bulk composition or gross features such
as bedding, while developing new textures and often new minerals.
Rocks undergo two principle types of readily observable change during metamorphism: the replacement of
an original mineral assemblage by new metamorphic minerals due to chemical reaction (phase change), and
recrystallisation of minerals leading to a new mineral texture such as the alignment of platy minerals. These
changes may take place together or more or less independently depending upon the style of metamorphism
and the type of rock involved.
One important feature of all metamorphism is that it takes place essentially in the solid state - the rock is
never completely disaggregated (as would be the case if extensive melting took place), and as a result gross
features such as compositional layering of sediments can be retained, though they may be distorted and
disrupted by deformation.
Most metamorphic reactions can be considered to be isochemical, in that the rock retains its original
composition, except perhaps for the removal or addition of volatiles (usually H2O). When extensive
chemical changes occur, often due to the circulation of hot fluids through the rock, the process is termed
metasomatism.

DETERMINING THE STYLE OF METAMORPHISM

We will be evaluating two contrasting styles of metamorphism, which are essentially the result of contrasts
in the temperature and pressure of metamorphism. A third type of metamorphism is related with intense
deformation and will not be considered in any detail.

CONTACT OR THERMAL METAMORPHISM is the metamorphism that results from a rise in temperature in
the surrounding country rocks near to an igneous intrusion. Typically, aureole rocks are not deformed
during metamorphism, and mineral recrystallisation results in a texture of interlocking grains and the
formation of the very tough rock known as hornfels. However, many hornfels may retain some vestige of
original sedimentary banding, or in some cases, of a regional metamorphic fabric. The mineral assemblage
formed during contact metamorphism depends upon the composition of the protolith and the grade of
metamorphism.

REGIONAL METAMORPHISM gives rise to the large areas of metamorphic rocks characteristic of many
mountain chains. Heating occurs without a close association with particular igneous bodies, although
igneous activity often accompanies regional metamorphism. Regional metamorphism is almost invariably
associated with deformation and folding, and rocks often have a planar fabric (cleavage or schistosity
depending upon the grain size of the rock). The effects of high pressure alone (at only slightly elevated
temperatures) can give rise to very distinctive mineral assemblages (e.g. blueschists) depending upon the
composition of the protolith, and are normally associated with subduction zones or 'extreme' mountain
building events.

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DYNAMIC OR CATACLASTIC METAMORPHISM is usually more local in its occurrence than contact
metamorphism, and takes place along fault planes or shear zones as a result of the intense deformation of
the rock in the immediate zone of movement. Mechanical disintegration (cataclasis) of minerals is
sometimes associated by recrystallisation or growth of hydrous phases due to fluid movement in the fault
zone. Mylonites are the typical product of dynamic metamorphism, and are fine grained rocks which are
strongly foliated.

THE CONCEPT OF METAMORPHIC GRADE & METAMORPHIC FACIES

Metamorphic conditions increase in grade with increasing temperature and/or pressure. For example,
around an igneous intrusion the highest grade rocks will be found nearest the igneous mass. It is normally
relatively easy to assess the metamorphic grade of metamorphosed argillaceous (clay-rich) sediments and
certain igneous rocks since they are chemically complex and develop a range of mineral assemblages with
increasing grade. However, more monomineralic sediments (pure limestones, quartz sands etc.), and some
granitic igneous rocks are less complex chemically and will only grow a limited number of new
metamorphic minerals, and are therefore less sensitive indicators of grade. It is becoming increasingly
possible to determine the absolute temperature and pressure of metamorphism with the advent of precise
analytical and experimental techniques. For example, the three polymorphs of Al2SiO 5, sillimanite,
andalusite and kyanite have experimentally defined stability fields in P-T space, and the occurrence of one
or more of these phases can help determine the conditions of metamorphism.

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However, certain rock types (e.g. basic igneous rocks) can sometimes retain a single mineral assemblage
over a wide range of metamorphic conditions or grades. As a result Eskola (1915) introduced the concept
of metamorphic facies which represent broader P-T subdivisions. A metamorphic facies can be defined as
a range of pressure-temperature conditions over which a particular common mineral assemblage or range
of mineral assemblages are stable (Figure 3). The individual facies are also defined so that rocks of a wide
range of compositions can be assigned to a facies.

FACIES OF MODERATE PRESSURE AND MODERATE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE: The greenschist , amphibolite
and granulite facies probably account for the majority of metamorphic rocks. The pelite zones of the
Scottish Highlands (Moine and Dalradian) belong to the greenschist and amphibolite facies; granulite facies
rocks form at even higher grades. These facies are usually associated with regional metamorphism, and in
pelites, mineral assemblages including chlorite, muscovite, biotite, garnet, staurolite, kyanite and sillimanite
can develop depending upon the grade.

FACIES OF CONTACT METAMORPHISM : At the low pressures and high temperatures of metamorphic
aureoles distinct mineral assemblages can often develop, with pelites containing chlorite, muscovite, biotite,
cordierite, andalusite or K-feldspar depending upon the grade. The facies of albite-epidote hornfels,

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hornblende hornfels and pyroxene hornfels can grade into the greenschist, amphibolite and granulite facies
respectively.

FACIES OF HIGH PRESSURE: The blueschist and eclogite facies are characterised by relatively dense phases
formed at unusually high pressures. Blueschist facies metabasites obtain their characteristic blue-lilac
coloured Na-amphibole, glaucophane, rather than the more common green Ca-amphiboles. Similarly the
eclogite facies is characterised by the Na-pyroxene omphacite rather than Ca-pyroxenes.

FACIES OF LOW GRADE: The zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyite facies were recognised later than the others.
The characteristic minerals of these facies are the zeolites and phylosilicates, and metamorphism is often
associa ted with hydrothermal activity or the effects of shallow burial. These facies grade into diagenesis at
even lower temperatures and pressures.

DETERMINING THE PROTOLITH OF A METAMORPHIC ROCK

Since metamorphism is essentially an isochemical process, determining the protolith of a metamorphic rock
is not as complex as it may seem. The essential keys to the 'art' are a good grasp of the mineralogy, it's
overall chemical composition and a similar knowledge of potential protoliths. In simple terms, if a rock is
rich in Ca, Fe and Mg before metamorphism it will still be rich in these elements after metamorphism (Table
1). The following is an incomplete list of potential protoliths (don't forget that any rock can suffer
metamorphism) and their bulk chemical characteristics:

Protolith Chemical characteristics Metamorphosed equivalent

Quartz arenite Rich in SiO2, poor in just about every thing else!! Quartzite
Arkose Rich in SiO2, with some CaO, Al2O3, Na 2O and K2O Semi-pelite
Shale/mudstone Rich in SiO 2, Al2O3, FeO, CaO, K2O with some Pelite
MgO and Na2O (most elements are there!!)
Pure limestone Rich in CaO, poor in everything else. Marble
Impure limestone Rich in CaO, with some MgO and SiO2 Marble, Calc -silicate
Marl (muddy limestone) Rich in CaO, MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, FeO with some Calc-silicate
Na 2O and K2O (just about everything in other
words!!)
Basic igneous Rich in MgO, CaO, FeO, with SiO 2and Al2O3 Amphibolite, metabasite,
serpentinite
Acid igneous Rich in SiO2, Al2O3, K2O and Na2O Acid gneiss

The composition of these rocks is controlled by their mineralogy, so if your metamorphic rock is dominated
by amphiboles (see mineralogy sheet for formulas!!), the rock will have a bulk composition rich in CaO,
MgO and FeO. It follows therefore that the protolith also had these chemical characteristics, and was
almost definitely a basic igneous rock. Other things to look out for are relict textures and structures.
Metamorphosed sediments may retain some remnant of bedding, and metamorphosed igneous rocks may
still be porphyritic. It really is that easy!!!

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METAMORPHISM AND DEFORMATION

Although many metamorphic rocks show evidence for having been deformed, metamorphism and
deformation are not mutually exclusive. For example, deformation of a sedimentary sequence can take
place without there being any associated metamorphism. This is due to the fact that deformation need not
include an increase in pressure and/or temperature. However, extensive deformation is usually associated
with regional and dynamic metamorphism, whereas contact metamorphism is only rarely associated with
deformation.

Deformation typically results in features that can be seen at the hand specimen and outcrop scale, and a
number of different structures can be produced depending upon whether the deformation is compressional
or extensional, and the extent to which these features are developed can be strongly controlled by rock
composition. Common structures include:-

folds, cleavage, kink bands, boudins, rods, joints, faults

Although most of these structures have a mesoscopic scale, they are also often manifested down to the
microscopic scale. For example, a rock with a slatey-cleavage has a well developed planar fabric easily
visible on the large scale; on the microscopic scale this cleavage can be seen to be the result of the
alignment of all the platy minerals such as mica. If the deformation and metamorphism are associated in
space and time, metamorphism can take place before, during or after deformation, and it often the study of
microscopic structures which helps determine the timing of metamorphism relative to deformation. During
growth, metamorphic porphyroblasts will often trap inclusions of the matrix material within them, and these
may preserve any fabric which the rock possesses. By studying the relationship between the fabric
preserved in the porphyroblast and that out with the porphyroblast, it is possible to tell whether the
porphyroblast grew before deformation (pre-tectonic), after deformation (post-tectonic) or during
deformation (syn-tectonic). The following show examples of each of these textures.

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 Post-tectonic
Porphyroblasts

Grow across and

preserve pre-existing
fabric

Pre-tectonic
Porphyroblasts

Inclusion fabric in
porphyroblasts in
different orientation
to main fabric

Syn-tectonic
Porphyroblasts

Inclusion fabric
curves through
porphyroblast in line
with external fabric

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METAMORPHISM OF SHALES AND MUDSTONES

The mineralogical changes which occur during the contact or regional metamorphism of a shale or
mudstone (clay rich sediments) are perhaps some of the best documented effects of progressive
metamorphism, and much of the pioneering work was carried out early this century in the Highlands of
Scotland. Shales are composed in the main of very fine grained quartz, abundant clay minerals ± feldspar
and other bits and pieces. The clay minerals are chemically complex and the range of metamorphic minerals
which can form with increasing grade is relatively large. However, in the main, the new minerals produced
will be rich in Al2O 3 since the original sediment was rich in this element. The metamorphic rock produced is
termed a pelite, and a well documented series of mineral reactions occur with increasing grade, coupled
with an overall coarsening of the rocks grain size. The work of Barrow in the early 1900's in the Highlands
of Scotland highlighted the fact that certain new metamorphic minerals grew in pelites in a series of zones
which correspond to conditions of increasing grade. Although the zones tend to grade into each other, the
'grey areas' have allowed petrologists to determine the metamorphic reactions which occur in pelitic rocks.
The following section summarises the so-called Barrovian zonal scheme of high T/P regional
metamorphism:

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CHLORITE ZONE: At the lowest grades of metamorphism, pelitic rocks are fine grained slates, often with
graphite. Under the microscope they contain chlorite, MgFe-bearing muscovite (phengitic), with variable
amounts of quartz and Na-plagioclase (albite).

BIOTITE ZONE: Biotite forms at elevated temperatures through one of two mineral reactions depending upon
the presence or absence of K -feldspar:

K-feldspar + chlorite → biotite + muscovite + quartz + H2O

phengitic muscovite + chlorite → biotite + phengite-poor muscovite + quartz + H2O

In the case of the second reaction, new muscovite is not actually produced, rather the pre-existing phengitic
muscovite becomes progressively more pure. The assemblage chlorite + muscovite + biotite is stable over
a wide temperature interval.

GARNET ZONE: The next mineral to appear in the Barrovian sequence is garnet, and by the time it does,
pelitic rocks are typically relatively coarse grained schists. Garnet frequently forms conspicuous
porphyroblasts. The typical garnet of pelitic schist is a Fe-rich almandine, and probably forms via a
continuous reaction such as:

chlorite + muscovite → garnet + biotite + quartz + H2O

A typical mineral assemblage in this zone would consist of garnet + biotite + chlorite + muscovite + quartz
+ Na-plagioclase. In rocks with high Al content, chloritoid can develop in the garnet zone.

STAUROLITE ZONE: Staurolite will only form in Al-rich, Ca-poor pelites. The critical factor in the
development of staurolite is the stabilisation of plagioclase at this grade, which allows available Ca to
combine with additional Al to form plagioclase, effectively reducing the amount of Al available to form
other aluminosilicate minerals. In rocks of suitable composition, staurolite forms via the breakdown of
chloritoid:

chloritoid + quartz → staurolite + garnet + H2O

Textural evidence for this reaction is sometimes found as relics of chloritoid preserved as inclusions in
garnet. In other rocks staurolite can form via the discontinuous reaction:

garnet + muscovite + chlorite → staurolite + biotite + quartz + H2O

KYANITE ZONE: The kyanite zone is typified by a range of assemblages such as kyanite + staurolite + biotite
+ muscovite + quartz, kyanite + garnet + biotite + muscovite + quartz or kyanite + biotite + muscovite +
quartz. Kyanite forms during a discontinuous reaction:

muscovite + staurolite + chlorite → biotite + kyanite + quartz + H2O

SILLIMANITE ZONE: This highest grade zone differs from the kyanite zone only in the presence of sillimanite,
and kyanite may also be present. The sillimanite normally occurs in the form of very fine needles (fibrolite),

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often associated with biotite. Although sillimanite can be formed in the polymorphic transition kyanite →
sillimanite, the fact that kyanite is nearly always also present suggests that this reaction is sluggish, and that
the sillimanite is formed via other reactions such as:

staurolite + muscovite + quartz → garnet + biotite + sillimanite + H2O

However, this zonation does not apply to rocks in the Buchan district of the North East Highlands of
Scotland, where the conditions of regional metamorphism were of a distinctly lower pressure, and also do
not apply to the mineral zonation developed dues to contact metamorphism.
At the lower pressures characteristic of Buchan-type regional metamorphism and thermal metamorphism, a
distinct range of reactions occur within pelitic rocks. The principle differences from the Barrovian zonal
scheme are as follows:

• Cordierite is common and forms at relatively low temperatures

• Kyanite does not occur, but andalusite may be present
• Garnet is less abundant or absent, and staurolite may also be lacking
• Migmatites are not developed until well above the sillimanite zone

Typical mineral assemblages and reactions are as follows:

BIOTITE ZONE: The lowest grade of Buchan or contact metamorphism results in the assemblage biotite +
chlorite + muscovite + quartz. As with regionally metamorphosed rocks these pelites are typically fine
grained slates.

CORDIERITE ZONE: Cordierite appears as the first distinctive index mineral through the continuous reaction:

chlorite + muscovite → cordierite + biotite + quartz + H 2O

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This reaction is probably responsible for the cordierite 'spots' common in many 'spotted' slates.

ANDALUSITE ZONE: Andalusite can form in most pelites at low pressures as a result of the discontinuous
reaction:

chlorite + muscovite + quartz → cordierite + andalusite + biotite + H2O

This reaction represents the upper stability limit of chlorite in muscovite-quartz schists.

SILLIMANITE ZONE: Sillimanite in this zone can occur due to the occurrence of the polymorphic reaction
andalusite → sillimanite, but as with regional metamorphism the occurrence of muscovite + cordierite +
quartz in this zone suggests that a separate reaction may occur:

chlorite + muscovite + quartz → cordierite + sillimanite + biotite + H2O

UPPER SILLIMANITE ZONE: The highest grade of contact metamorphism of pelites is characterised by the
assemblage sillimanite + cordierite + biotite + K-feldspar + quartz + muscovite

METAMORPHISM OF BASIC IGNEOUS ROCKS

The term amphibolite has become almost synonymous with the metamorphism of basic igneous
rocks....this might have something to do with the fact that metabasic rocks are dominated by amphiboles
over a very wide range of metamorphic conditions!!! The basic rocks show two important differences in
their metamorphism when compared with pelitic metasediments. Firstly, the original igneous mineral
assemblage is composed mostly of anhydrous phases stable at high temperatures. As a result, the first
changes which take place at low grades will involve the formation of hydrous minerals stable at low
temperatures. The extent to which these retrograde reactions proceed will depend upon how much water
is available and how easily it can permeate the rock structure. Deformation will facilitate the influx of water.
The second major difference between metabasites and metapelites concerns the type of mineral
assemblage and reactions that occur. Metabasic rocks contain a relatively small number of minerals many
of which show extensive solid solution (e.g. plagioclase, amphibole, pyroxene). During metamorphism
continuous reactions involving progressive changes in mineral composition occur over broad intervals of
temperature and pressure. As a result it is often very difficult to assess the grade of metamorphism in the
field. It is only at the very low grades where significant changes in mineralogy occur over sufficiently narrow
temperature intervals that metamorphic zones can be defined which are comparable to the pelite zones.

METABASITES AT LO W METAMORPHIC GRADES (ZEOLITE & PREHNITE- PUMPELLYITE FACIES )

The hydration and alteration of igneous rocks at low temperatures is the bane of every igneous petrologists
life!! However, during progressive burial metamorphism within a volcanic pile or sedimentary succession, it
has been found that a very distinctive series of metamorphic minerals develops. At the lowest grades, the
most unstable portions of igneous rocks such as glass are altered to zeolite (complex hydrous Ca,Na,K,Al-
silicates e.g. heulandite, which has the formula (Ca,Na2,K 2)4[Al8Si28O 72].24H 2O)!!!), or more rarely

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analcite (Na[AlSi2O6].H2O); secondary quartz and clay minerals can also develop. At this low grade,
original crystalline phases are often left more or less intact.
With increasing depth the original calcic plagioclase will become replaced by pseudomorphs of albite, and
laumonite (Ca4[Al8Si16O48].16H2O) replaces the original zeolites. Chlorite also appears at this stage.
At the 'highest' grade, zeolites become scarce and laumonite is replaced by prehnite
(Ca2(Al,Fe 3+)[AlSi3O10](OH)2) and pumpellyite (hideously complex Ca-Al-Fe silicate!!!); minor epidote
can also be found.

METABASITES AT GREENSCHIST AND AMPHIBOLITE FACIES

Most metamorphic terranes will contain a mixture of sedimentary and igneous rocks, and as with
metapelites, distinctive zonal minerals can often be identified within the metabasites.

Chlorite and biotite zones: Original igneous textures are sometimes preserved, but the mineral
assemblage will be entirely metamorphic. Calcic plagioclase will be pseudomorphed by albite, and the
minerals chlorite, epidote, pale-green actinolite and quartz (± biotite, calcite) may be present.

Garnet zone: Garnet appears in metabasites at a lower grade than in pelites. The garnet will typically have
a higher Ca and Mg content than those formed in pelites at this grade. At the same time chlorite and calcite
become rarer, actinolite is replaced by a blue -green hornblende and a more calcic plagioclase may appear.

Staurolite & kyanite zones: Biotite and chlorite are absent. Green hornblende and plagioclase
predominate, and epidote may be scarce.

Sillimanite zone: the rocks are dominated by greenish-brown hornblende and an intermediate plagioclase,
and epidote remains.

METABASITES DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE META MORPHISM

Many of the mineralogical changes developed during regional metamorphism of basic igneous rocks also
occur during contact metamorphism, again due to the often limited original mineral assemblage. However,
they do not typically develop garnet during contact metamorphism, and the exact changes in amphibole and
plagioclase may be somewhat different than those observed during regional metamorphism. An additional
feature of low pressure metabasites is that Ca-poor amphiboles, notably cummingtonight
((Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2) (no crude jokes please, I've heard them all before!!), are more widespread. The
reason for this is that at the lower pressures associated with contact metamorphism, the stability field for
plagioclase is enlarged. As a result Ca is partitioned preferentially into plagioclase instead of hornblende,
thus freeing up Mg and Fe for cummingtonight.
At the very high temperatures associated with pyroxene hornfels and granulite facies metamorphism,
hornblende starts to break down and is replaced by pyroxene. Both clino- and orthopyroxene can be
found in association with plagioclase, garnet and amphibole.

METABASITES AT HIGH PRESSURES (BLUESCHIST & ECLOGITE FACIES )

Metabasites are important in studying the effects of high pressure metamorphism at relatively low
temperatures since, unlike pelites, they undergo a number of conspicuous mineralogical changes with
increased pressure. The most characteristic effect of high pressure metamorphism is the replacement of Ca-
amphiboles with the Na-rich amphibole glaucophane, which imparts a slatey lilac blue colour to the rocks,

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hence blueschist facies. Other minerals diagnostic of high pressure blueschist metamorphism are lawsonite,
Na-rich pyroxene (jadeite) and aragonite.
During eclogite facies metamorphism (very high temperatures and pressures), rocks of basaltic composition
recrystallise to a characteristic red and green dense rock, dominated by garnet and omphacitic pyroxene
(Na-rich); small amounts of quartz, rutile, kyanite and Na-rich amphibole may also be present, but
plagioclase is absent.

METAMORPHISM OF CALCAREOUS ROCKS

Calcareous rocks are common in many sedimentary sequences, and may take the form of very pure calcite
limestones, calcite limestones with minor or abundant detrital material, pure dolomitic limestones, dolomitic
limestones with detrital components, and marls (limy mudstones). As such the range of metamorphic rocks
which can form from calcareous precursors are equally diverse. It is convenient to divide metamorphic
calcareous rocks into two groups: marbles in which carbonates are abundant, and calc-silicates with little
or no carbonate. Skarns are a variety of calc -silicate rock formed by metasomatic interaction between
marble and silicate rocks, and are often associated with granite intrusions.

CALCITE MARBLES
Many marbles are composed only of calcite with minor detrital quartz and phylosilicates (micas and clays).
As such the possible metamorphic reactions are limited, and the response of such rocks to increasin g
temperature and pressure is to recrystallise with a larger grain size and granoblastic polygonal texture,
often with a preferred orientation. However, at very high temperatures (>600°C) and low pressures, calcite
and quartz can react to produce calcium silicate, wollastonite:

CaCO3 + SiO2 → CaSiO 3 + CO2

calcite quartz wollastonite fluid

Most wollastonite is found in thermal aureoles due to the fact that it is unstable at the pressures associated
with regional metamorphism (>2kbar).

DOLOMITIC MARBLES
Limestones which contain dolomite provide much more useful indicators of metamorphic conditions in that
a range of Ca-Mg-silicates can form over a range of metamorphic conditions. Key minerals include talc,
tremolite, diopside and forsterite. The general sequence of mineral zonation in regionally metamorphosed
dolomitic marbles is:

- talc (not always present)

- tremolite
- diopside or forsterite
- diopside + forsterite

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Other phases which may be present if there are other minor chemical components present include
plagioclase, garnet and phlogopite. The sequence of mineral reactions that occur with increasing grade can
be summarised as follows:

3 dolomite + 4 quartz + 1 H2O → 1 talc + 3 calcite + 3 CO2

5 talc + 6 calcite + 4 quartz → 3 tremolite + 2 H2O + 6 CO2

1 tremolite + 3 calcite + 2 quartz → 5 diopside + 1 H2O + 3 CO2

1 tremolite + 11 dolomite → 8 forsterite + 13 calcite + 1 H2O + 9 CO2

3 tremolite + 5 calcite → 11 diopside + 2 forsterite + 3 H2O + 5 CO 2

These are idealised reactions, and assemblages containing both reactants and products can be found over a
wide range of PT conditions.

CALC -SILICA TE ROCKS

Calc -silicates are rocks rich in Ca-Mg-silicate minerals but poor in carbonate, and they form via the
metamorphism of very impure calcite or dolomite limestones, or from limy mudstones (marls). Since calc -
silicates contain significant amounts of other chemical components, such as Al, K and Fe, minerals such as
zoisite (epidote group), garnet, Ca-plagioclase, K-feldspar, hornblende and diopside can form. A
generalised zonal sequence can be summarised as follows:

Ankerite zone: The lowest grade rocks are characterised by the assemblage ankerite (Ca(Mg,Fe)(CO3)2)
+ quartz + albite + muscovite ± chlorite.

Biotite zone: This zone is characterised by the coexistence of biotite and chlorite without amphibole, via a
reaction such as:

muscovite + quartz + ankerite + H2O → calcite + chlorite + biotite + CO2

The upper part of this zone also sees the replacement of albite by a more Ca-rich plagioclase and a
reduction in the amount of muscovite present:

chlorite + calcite + muscovite + quartz + albite → biotite + plagioclase + H 2O + CO2

Amphibole zone: The appearance of Ca-amphibole is accompanied by a further increase in the Ca content
of the plagioclase:

chlorite + calcite + quartz + plagioclase → Ca-amphibole + Ca-plagioclase + H 2O + CO 2

Zoisite zone: Zoisite (Ca2(Al,Fe)3[SiO4](OH)) often first appears rimming plagioclase at contacts with
calcite grains, suggesting growth is due to the reaction:

Ca-plagioclase + calcite + H2O → zoisite + CO 2

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Diopside zone: At the highest grades diopside appears due to the breakdown of amphibole:

Ca-amphibole + calcite + quartz → diopside + H2O + CO 2

GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT TERMS

aureole the zone around an intrusion affected by contact metamorphism

protolith the parent to a metamorphic rock.

isochemical reactions which take place without the loss of any major chemical components - volatiles
are usually exempt from this definition since many metamorphic reactions require the gain or
loss of volatile constituents.

grade the subdivision of metamorphic rocks into groups which have seen similar conditions of
temperature and pressure.

prograde mineral reactions which occur with increasing grade.

retrograde mineral reactions which occur with decreasing grade.

hornfels a tough rock formed by extreme thermal metamorphism.

fabric the texture and structure of a metamorphic rock, often used for rocks which display mineral
alignment.

foliation metamorphic rocks which have a planar fabric, due often to the alignment of micas.

cleavage the planar fabric often developed in fine grained regional metamorphic rocks such as slate,
due to the alignment of platy minerals such as mica.

schistosity the planar fabric displayed by coarse grained regionally metamorphosed rocks.

schist a coarse grained regional metamorphic rock with a well developed planar fabric.

gneiss high grade regionally metamorphosed rock which display a segregation of its constituent minerals
generally into quartzofeldspathic and micaceous bands.

cataclasis the mechanical disintegration of minerals due to movement along fault or shear planes.

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mylonite the product of extreme cataclastic metamorphism, forming a fine grained rock showing a crude
foliation.

pelite the name given to a metamorphosed shale or mudstone

migmatite mixed rock formed at high temperatures consisting of an original metamorphic rock and
injected streaks of partial melt (often granitic).

solid solution minerals such as plagioclase, pyroxene and amphibole which show complete gradation
in their chemical composition between two or more endmembers.

polymorph minerals with the same chemical composition but with different mineral structures and
optical properties.

porphyroblast large minerals which grow in response to a given reaction at a specific grade.

pseudomorph the replacement of one mineral by another without losing the form of the original phases,
either during prograde or retrograde reactions.

granoblastic regular, equidimensional, mosaic-like texture, often formed in monomineralic rocks.

xenoblastic irregularly shaped interlocking crystals with no crystal faces.

ideoblastic large, euhedral crystals (porphyroblasts)

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SUPPLIMENTARY READING

Hibbard, M.J. (1995) Petrography to Petrogenesis. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Yardley, B.W.D. (1989) An introduction to metamorphic petrology. Longman Earth Science Series.

Yardley, B.W.D, MacKenzie, W.S. & Guilford, C. (1990) Atlas of metamorphic rocks and their
textures. Longman Earth Science Series.

Mason, R. (1978) Petrology of the metamorphic rocks. Allen & Unwin

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