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Eclogite – Metamorphic rock formed under high pressure; Gneiss – Common high-grade metamorphic rock; Granulite – Class of high-grade medium to coarse grained metamorphic rocks; Greenschist – Metamorphic rock – A mafic metamorphic rock dominated by green amphiboles; Hornfels – Group of metamorphic rocks
[33] [34] Subsequent erosion of the mountains exposes the roots of the orogenic belt as extensive outcrops of metamorphic rock, [35] characteristic of mountain chains. [33] Metamorphic rock formed in these settings tends to shown well-developed foliation. [33] Foliation develops when a rock is being shortened along one axis during metamorphism.
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.
Grain size (or particle size) is the diameter of individual grains of sediment, or the lithified particles in clastic rocks. The term may also be applied to other granular materials . This is different from the crystallite size, which refers to the size of a single crystal inside a particle or grain.
Geologists define schist as medium-grained metamorphic rock that shows well-developed schistosity. [3] Schistosity is a thin layering of the rock produced by metamorphism (a foliation) that permits the rock to easily be split into flakes or slabs less than 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 in) thick.
Quartz crystal with chlorite inclusions from Minas Gerais, Brazil (size: 4.2 × 3.9 × 3.3 cm) Chlorite is a common mineral, found in metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks. It is an important rock-forming mineral in low- to medium-grade metamorphic rock formed by metamorphism of mafic or pelitic rock. [9]
The difference in grade between two locations is called the metamorphic gradient. Planes that connect points with the same metamorphic grade are called isograds. The secant lines of isograds with the surface form lines on a geologic map. Changes in mineralogical composition in a terrane reflect differences in metamorphic grade of the rocks.
Blueschist on Île de Groix, France Photomicrograph of a thin section of blueschist facies metamorphosed basalt, from Sivrihisar, Turkey. Blueschist (/ ˈ b l uː ʃ ɪ s t /), also called glaucophane schist, is a metavolcanic rock [1] that forms by the metamorphism of basalt and rocks with similar composition at high pressures and low temperatures (200–500 °C (392–932 °F ...