Crustal Metamorphism and Aluminosilicates
Metamorphism is solid state recrystallization caused by a change in temperature, pressure or fluids
Plate Boundaries
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Mid-Ocean Ridges
Hydrothermal metamorphism and serpentinization of oceanic crust
Subduction Zones and Island Arcs
2
Metamorphic Facies
P-T Conditions in a Plate Boundary
3
Variations in P, T
Types of Metamorphism
4
Contact vs Regional Metamorphism
Inverted Isotherms in a Subduction Zone
5
Continental Collision
Ultra High P Metamorphism
6
Foliation and
Lineation
Metamorphic Mineral Reactions
kyanite with biotite
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Progressive Metamorphism
…the beginning
Slate
Crenulation Cleavage
…. new foliation grows
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Quartzite
Metaconglomerate
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Garnet mica schist
Orthogneiss
Derived from a granite or other igneous rock
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Layered Gneiss
Metamorphic Minerals
the Aluminosilicates (Al2SiO5)
kyanite with muscovite, biotite
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Aluminosilicate Polymorphs
Al2SiO5
Andalusite Structure
Andalusite, VIAlVAlO[SiO4] has Al in 6 and 5-fold coordination giving
the largest molar volume (V= 51.3 cm3/mole) of the three polymorphs; It
is stable at the lowest pressures. Density of 3.15 g/cm3. The unit cell is
orthorhombic.
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Andalusite - Low P
Andalusite
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Andalusite
var. chiastolite
Andalusite in Thin Section
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Kyanite - High P
Kyanite
METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Kyanite is said to be very usefull in enhancing one's
creativity, broadening one's perspective, and in
reaching a better understanding with others. Kyanite is
also said to bring calm and tranquility, and to facilitate
meditation.
Kyanite is said to help clear sinus congestion, and to
help in the treatment of muscular disorders.
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Kyanite with Biotite
Al2SiO5
Kyanite Structure
Kyanite, VIAl2O[SiO4] has all of the Al in 6-fold coordination
giving the most dense structure (V = 44.09 cm3/mole). Density
of: 3.53-3.65 g/cm3. Kyanite is stable at high pressure. It is
triclinic.
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Sillimanite - Highest T
Called fibrolite when it occurs as fine needles
Sillimanite
Structure
Al2SiO5
Sillimanite, VIAl[IVAlSiO4] has the greatest entropy (S(298K) = 96.11 J/mol-K)
because it has a high symmetry (orthorhombic). The molar volume is V =49.9
cm3/mole. Density: 3.25 g/cm3. The unit cell is orthorhombic.
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Sillimanite
Gibbs Phase Rule
Gibbs phase rule
f=c-p+2
where:
*p = number of phases
*f = the variance or number of
degrees of freedom in the system
*c = number of chemical
constituents
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The Al2SiO5 Phase Diagram
Gibbs phase rule: f = c - p + 2
Metamorphic Grid
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The Grid in Color
The rock - where do
you belong?
The clue is in the
minerals!!
Prograde Path
Increasing temperature
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Prograde Metamorphic
Isograd
Map
mapping the prograde
path in the field
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The P-T-t
Loop
clockwise paths -
from thrust loading
counter clockwise
paths - from magma
loading
The Retgrograde Path
Decreasing temperature
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Metamorphic Grid
Subduction Zones
Cold Metamorphism
retrograde of mantle
periodotite to serpentinite
2Mg2SiO4 + 3 H2O =
Foresterite
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 + Mg(OH)2
Serpentine Brucite
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The temperature of oceanic lithosphere increases
rapidly as it becomes younger than 5-10 Ma
Greatest
temperature
Calculated
increase isotherms
in oceanic
lithosphere
Subduction zone thermal evolution and the age of subducting lithosphere
(Peacock, 1996)
Significant
temperature
increase in
very young
oceanic
lithosphere
(0-2 Ma)
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Subduction of hot oceanic crust raises mantle
wedge geotherms
The temperature at the base of continental crust is raised above its
solidus, leading to partial melting
Subduction of old oceanic lithosphere Subduction of very young oceanic lithosphere
Potential partial
melting of lower
continental crust
1-
2M
ao
ce
an
ic
lit
ho
sp
he
re
Serpentine Polymorphs
chrysotile
antigorite, lizardite
retrograde involves hydration (up to 13% water)!
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3 Serpentine polymorphs
Mg3[SiO5](OH)4 (monoclinic or hexagonal)
High T (600 C) -------------------------> Low T (<400 C)
Antigorite --> Chrysotile --> Lizardite
• Antigorite
• Perfect {001} cleavage
• Occurs in greenish yellow pleated masss
• Monoclinic
• Hardness of 3.5 vs. 2.5 for the other two
polymorphs
• Chrysotile
• Least abundant and least stable
• fibrous
• Used for asbestos
• Lizardite
• Most abundant
• Perfect {001} cleavage (like biotite)
• Very fine grained, scaly
Asbestos Mine, Quebec
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Serpentine - a 1:1 Phyllosilicate
Trioctahedral layer Mg(OH)2
SiO4
Phyllosilicates Review
1 : 1 Phyllosilicates: (Si2O5)
Dioctahedral: Kaolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4
Trioctahedral: Serpentine (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4
2 : 1 Phyllosilicates: (Si4O10)
Dioctahedral: Pyrophyllite Al2Si4O10(OH)2
Trioctahedral: Talc (Mg,Fe)3Si4O10(OH)2
Micas:
Dioctahedral: Muscovite KAl2(Si3Al)O10 (OH)2
Trioctahedral: Biotite K(Mg,Fe)3(Si3Al1)O10(OH)2
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Antigorite Atomic Structure
The mismatch - the tetrahedral layers are Inversions make for
shorter than the octahedral layers corrections of the “bends”
The Origin of Chrysotile Fibers
they’re hollow!
mismatched layers curl!
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Olivine to Serpentine
….just add water
“spirit of oceans past”
Epidote - Another Common
Retrograde Mineral
Commonly replaces plagioclase and hornblende
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(Clinozoisite if no Fe3+ is present)
Epidote Ca2(AlFe)Al2O(SiO4)(Si2O7)(OH)
Can also be prograde
and even igneous
(high pressure >6-7
kbar)!
Epidote from fault zone
Sorosilicate
Al octahedral chains (grey)
Single (blue) and double (not shown) tetrahedra
Brown is Fe, Al polyhedra; green is Ca
Metamorphic Grid
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Prograde Path
Some reactions involve polymorph change
Aragonite =
Calcite
aragonite
Aragonite
CaCO3
Denser than calcite
2.95 vs 2.71
Orthorhombic
Two occurrences
1. High P metamorphism
(subduction zones)
2. Organic precipitate
(most molusks have aragonite
shells)
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Aragonite
marine reef
cave stalagtite
(France)
Jadeite - High Pressure Metamphism
NaAlSi3O8 ----> NaAlSi2O6 + SiO2
… prograde reaction involving a phase change
The wonder of Jade
P-T conditions of jadeite stability - only in subduction zones
sodic pyroxene: NaAlSi2O6
Density = 3.3-3.5 g/cm3 (Jadeite) vs. 2.62 g/cm3 (Albite)
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Jadeite
A sodic pyroxene: NaAlSi2O6
Carved Mayan Jade
Other Prograde Reactions: the Tie Line Flip
Garnet + Chlorite = Staurolite + Biotite + H2O*
* many prograde reactions involve dehydration
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Others Involve a Terminal Stability
Staurolite (+qz) = Garnet + Kyanite + H2O
Staurolite
cruciform twin
with mica
Diagnostic of middle
Monoclinic, structure similar to kyanite
metamorphic grades
Density = 3.74-3.83 g/cm3
Fe2Al9O6(SiO4)4(O,OH)2
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Prograde Decarbonation Reactions
Like dehydration but
Numbers = XCO 2 in the fluid phase the breakdown
releases CO2 Clinopyroxene
Dolomite + Qz = Diopside + CO2
Calcite + Qz = Wollastonite + CO2
Pyroxenoid
Both reactions go at lower T, if the
fluid phase is a CO2 - H2O mixture
CaMg(CO3)2 + SiO2 = CaMgSi2O6 + CO2
CaCO3 + SiO2 = CaSiO3 + CO2
Higher CO2 drives the reaction to higher
temperatures
Wollastonite
CaSiO3, a pyroxenoid
Like a pyroxene, but with offsets on the
single chain
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Wollastonite
From
limestone to
marble to
wollastonite,
it only needs
a bit of sand
Picture of the Day
wollastonite
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Acknowledgements
http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/mpnotes.htm
http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/faculty/hacker/geo102C/lectures/part11.html
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