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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.
The plate tectonics rock cycle is an evolutionary process. Magma generation, both in the spreading ridge environment and within the wedge above a subduction zone, favors the eruption of the more silicic and volatile rich fraction of the crustal or upper mantle material. [ 9 ]
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]
The rocks in the Rocky Mountains were formed before the mountains were raised by tectonic forces. The oldest rock is Precambrian Wyoming craton that forms the core of the North American continent. The Wyoming Craton originated as a 100,000 km 2 middle Archean craton that was modified by late Archean volcanic magmatism and plate movements and ...
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 ...
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.
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.