Metamorphic Petrology

Blueschist

A low temperature, high pressure regionally metamorphic rock, containing abundant glaucophane.

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Ecologite

A metamorphic rock of mantle origin. It is usually composed of garnet and omphacite (a pyroxene).

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Gneiss

Metamorphic rock, showing distinct banding of light and dark minerals. Usually made of feldspars, micas and hornblende.

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Kyanite

A polymorph whose other two minerals are sillimanite and andalusite. Usually blue.

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Metamorphism

Metamorphosis require heat, pressure and time and is an extension of lithification, but it can occur on any rocks type (including metamorphic rocks). There is a continuum of type from heat dominated (marble) to pressure dominated (blueschist). Metamorphism is ranked in terms of a grade. A high grade metamorphic rock is a gneiss, which has undergone intense heat and pressure. It is important to note metamorphism occurs in the solid state - there is no melting. If the rock starts to melt it is called a migmatite (Mixed IGneous and metamorphic rock).

Porphyroblast

Unusually large crystal contained in a finer crystalline matrix occurring in metamorphic rocks. The resultant texture is a porphyroblastic texture.

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Regional Metamorphism

Metamorphism on a large scale involving heat and pressure.

Silliminite

A polymorph whose other two minerals are kyanite and andalusite.