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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.
A shield is a large area of exposed Precambrian crystalline igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks that form tectonically stable areas. [1] These rocks are older than 570 million years and sometimes date back to around 2 to 3.5 billion years.
The third form of rock material found on Earth is metamorphic rock, which is created from the transformation of pre-existing rock types through high pressures, high temperatures, or both. The most abundant silicate minerals on the Earth's surface include quartz , the feldspars , amphibole , mica , pyroxene , and olivine . [ 25 ]
Tectonic phases can be extensional or compressional in nature. When numerous subsequent compressional tectonic phases share the same geodynamic cause (usually some plate tectonic mechanism) this is called an orogeny. During an orogeny tectonic phases lead to mountain building, which causes deformation and metamorphism of rocks.
L-Tectonites are aligned in a linear fabric, which allows the rock to split into rod-like shapes due to the two intersecting planes. The foliation of this type is not strong. S-Tectonites are the fabric that is dominantly a foliation fabric which allows the rock to split into plate-like sheets that are parallel to foliation.
The rocks must be brittle and fracture to create the planes along which the magma intrudes the parent rock bodies, whether this occurs along preexisting planes between sedimentary or volcanic beds or weakened planes related to foliation in metamorphic rock. These planes or weakened areas allow the intrusion of a thin sheet-like body of magma ...
Metamorphic rocks with clockwise P-T-t paths are commonly associated with a near-isothermal decompressional P-T trajectory. [5] [6] Clockwise P-T-t path normally consists of three parts: [2] Initial heating and compression until arriving a peak, a high pressure-low temperature peak is often observed. (Prograde metamorphism until peak) [2]
Cretaceous-aged rocks in the Teton region form part of a huge east-thinning wedge of crust that is locally almost 2 miles (3.2 km) thick. Most of these rocks are from debris eroded from slowly rising mountains in the west. Bentonite, crude oil and natural gas are commonly produced from the various Cretaceous formations. Enormous coal reserves ...