METAMORPHISM

The solid-state transformation (no melting) of a rock mass into a rock of generally the same chemistry but with different textures and minerals.

PROTOLITH
Original rockalso called, PARENT ROCK

FACTORS CONTROLLING METAMORPHISM

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE. As pressures and temperatures change, a mineral reaches the edge of its stability field and breaks down to form new minerals that are stable in the new pressure-temperature field. WATER. The amount of water available and the length of time involved are important factors on how quickly and intensely metamorphism proceeds.

GEOSTATIC PRESSURE. Or the confining pressure that is equally applied to all sides of a deeply buried mass of rocks.

FACTORS CONTROLLING METAMORPHISM

DIFFERENTIAL STRESS. The result of tectonic forces applied to a body of rock at different directions. It stretches out the rock mass into an elongate shape.

FACTORS CONTROLLING METAMORPHISM

COMPRESSIVE STRESS. Compresses and flattens the rock mass.
SHEARING. To a line and grow along the shear plane.
Shear plane areas of weaknesses along on which mineral grains are subjected to crushing or crystallization.

FOLIATION. The resulting alignment.

FOLIATION New metamorphic rocks crystallize. Its angle is related to the direction of the stress and may cross-cut the original bedding of the rock. SLATY CLEAVAGE -if a rock splits easily along abundant, parallel foliation planes. SCHISTOSE -foliation is more massive -identified by coarser-grained minerals