METAMORPHIC ROCKS LEARNING OUTCOME y y y Differentiate the types of metamorphic rock and its history Identify the characteristic

of Metamorphic Rock Understand the significant of Metamorphic Rock in Civil Engineering

INTRODUCTION What is metamorphic rock? y The rock that being formed through metamorphism process

What is metamorphism? y The alteration process in rocks caused by either the excessive pressure, temperature or chemical impacts, and impose direct transformation on the minerals to produce either new type of rocks or other related occurrence (meta=change, morphe=form/shape)

AGENTS OF METAMORPHISM y y y Temperature Pressure Chemical Action Fluid

AGENTS OF METAMORPHISM Normal increases in temperature and pressure with depth in earth are sufficient to initiate metamorphic activity. The changes occur in order to restore equilibrium in rocks that have been subjected to new environments.

A) TEMPERATURE Temperature is the major cause and important agent of metamorphism. The temperature in the crust at depth of 15km is approximately 300C. It is noted also the temperature increases as the depth increase. This temperature is sufficient for recrystallisation for some minerals to begin. As the rock temperature rises, minerals begin to change from solid state to liquid state and amount of pore fluid in rocks increases. Heat reduces the ability of rock to withstand deformation and increase the rate of chemical reactions which facilitate the production of new minerals. i.e new atomic arrangement. Heat is provided by the nearby intrusions of magma or associated with compression of the crust.

B) PRESSURE The effect of pressure varies at different depths in the crust. Rocks at shallow depths are relatively cold and brittle, so they can be altered e.g fracture or crack when subjected to high pressures. At greater depths, rocks are much softer because of high temperatures. Under action of pressure, they tend to deform by plastic flow. In the region of plastic deformation, pressure influences the types of new minerals formed and are more tightly packed atomic structure and thus has greater density. Pressure is derived from deep below the earth surface and also associated with the collision of tectonic plates

C) CHEMICAL ACTION FLUIDS (Chemically active solutions) y y y y Rocks that re-crystallize during the metamorphism does not actually melt but occur in a solid phase state. The minerals are greatly facilitated by movement of small amounts of liquid or gaseous solutions through the rock which acts as a medium of transport for ions. These solutions which travel through the pores and cracks of the rocks, add and remove various ions and molecules as the reactions occur. In this way new chemical constituents can be brought in contact with mineral grains so that they may diffuse through the mineral structures during recrystallisation. Water may also react as solvent to form another minerals.

Water can be derived from: y y y Entrapped water in parent sedimentary rocks at time of deposition Large watery liquid and vapors from magma Small amount of water from hydrous minerals

TYPES OF METAMORPHISM y y y y y contact regional dynamic retrograde autometamorphism

A) CONTACT METAMORPHISM Occurs when country rocks are surrounded by igneous intrusion and altered by intruding magma. Physical changes such as recrystallisation occur due to contact metamorphism when original minerals in country rock are permeated by magmatic fluid. For example, limestone intruded by hot magma may be altered from distance of few inches to several miles from line of contact between two rocks. Heat is the most significant influence in contact metamorphism. Metamorphic rock form in a baked zone of the altered country rock

B) REGIONAL METAMORPHISM The zones of rock alteration are much more extensive (large scale) than rocks altered under contact metamorphism. Regional metamorphism occurs due to the effects of both pressure and temperature. The rock layers undergo structural deformation (folded, crushed or fractured) due to great pressures exerted on it. Regional metamorphism must occur deep within the crust, at least at depths of 10km or more and is known to be responsible for the forming of mountain ranges. Specific group of minerals present in rock can be used to infer a certain metamorphic grade. Rocks subjected to high temperatures and pressures are of high grade. Under various metamorphic grades, different minerals can be produced from the same original rock.

C) DYNAMIC / DISLOCATION METAMORPHISM  Causes only the structural alteration of rock through pressure. The minerals in the altered rocks do not change chemically. The subordinate process of stress and temperature in rock that cause the shearing movement of the rock mass to produce the cataclastic rocks or minerals (fine grained rock). D) RETROGRADE METAMORPHISM  Low grade metamorphism that normally caused by pressure  Impact: Fissuring process of forming Schist or gneiss. E) AUTOMETAMORPHISM  The chemical fluid refilling process in rock minerals during the cooling of the rock mass.

CHARACTERISTICS OF METAMORPHIC ROCK y Under metamorphism, rocks may undergo changes in their mineral composition leading to formation of new minerals and changes in textures. Texture of metamorphic rocks:-

Foliated Metamorphic Rock This is the parallel orientation of mineral grains within a metamorphic rock which resembles the bedding of sedimentary rocks Foliation gives metamorphic rocks a banded or layered appearance and associated with the regional metamorphism where tectonic stress is the major factor Foliation occurs when tectonic stresses acting on rocks are applied in one principal direction and the greatest pressure usually acts perpendicularly to the axis of the mineral grains

Types of Foliated Metamorphic Rock (i) Slate Very fine-grained Excellent rock cleavage Most often generated from low grademetamorphism of shale mudstone, or siltstone

(ii)

Phyllite Gradation in the degree of metamorphism between slate and schist Platy minerals not large enough to be identified with the unaided eye Glossy sheen and wavy surfaces Exhibits rock cleavage Composed mainly of fine crystals of muscovite and/or chlorite

(iii) Schist Medium- to coarse-grained Platy minerals predominate Commonly include the micas The term schist describes the texture To indicate composition, mineral schist)

names are used (such as mica

(iv) Gneiss Medium- to coarse-grained Banded appearance High-grade metamorphism Often composed of white or light colored feldspar-rich layers with bands of dark ferromagnesian minerals

Non Foliated Metamorphic Rock Those metamorphic rocks that lack foliation are referred to as non foliated (i) Marble (ii) Quartzite  Formed from a parent rock of quartz-rich  Quartz grains are fused together ORIGINAL ROCKS Sedimentary Rock  Sandstone  Shale  Limestone Igneous Rock  Granitic textured igneous rock  Compac textured igneous rock Gneiss Schist Quartzite Slate, Phyllite, Schist Marble sandstone Coarse, crystalline Parent rock was limestone or dolostone Composed essentially of calcite or dolomite crystals Used as a decorative and monument stone Exhibits a variety of colors Develop in environments where deformation Typically composed of minerals that exhibit is minimal equidimensional crystals

METAMORPHIC ROCK

ENGINEERING IN METAMORPHIC ROCKS TERRAIN  Unaltered and unfractured non-foliated metamorphic rocks are considered strong materials and posses similar engineering properties to intrusive igneous rocks. Few limitations for foundations, tunnels and dams and remain stable for vertical excavation slopes.  Foliated metamorphic rocks are more similar to sedimentary rocks because of their tendency to fail along specific planes.