Regionalmetamorph
Regionalmetamorph
Regionalmetamorph
Regional metamorphism is metamorphism that occurs over broad areas of the crust. Most
regionally metamorphosed rocks occur in areas that have undergone deformation during an
orogenic event resulting in mountain belts that have since been eroded to expose the
metamorphic rocks.
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The boundaries for his zones were based on the first appearance of a particular mineral, called
an index mineral, which is characteristic of the zone. These boundaries were later called
isograds (equal grade) and likely represent surfaces in a three dimensional sense. He called the
zone of lowest grade rocks the "zone of digested clastic mica," but Tilley, mapping the area in
1925, renamed this zone the chlorite zone.
Zone
Mineral Assemblage in Pelitic Rocks
(textural type)
Chlorite (slates & phyllites) quartz, chlorite, muscovite, albite
Biotite (phyllites & schists) biotite begins to replace chlorite, quartz, muscovite, albite
Garnet (phyllites and schists) quartz, muscovite, biotite, almandine, albite
Staurolite (schists) quartz, biotite, muscovite, almandine, staurolite, oligoclase
Kyanite (schists) quartz, biotite, muscovite, oligoclase, almandine, kyanite
Sillimanite (schists &
quartz, biotite, muscovite, oligoclase, almandine, sillimanite
gneisses)
Mineral assemblages for pelitic rocks of the Barrovian Zones are listed in the table above.
Note the following important points:
z The index mineral that defines a zone, does not necessarily disappear when entering the
next higher grade zone. For example the first appearance of biotite is at the biotite
isograd where chlorite is seen to be reacting to produce biotite. Biotite does not
disappear at the garnet isograd, and, in fact continues to be seen though the garnet,
sillimanite, staurolite, kyanite, and sillimanite zones.
z Staurolite, kyanite, and sillimanite only occur in the staurolite, kyanite, and sillimanite
zones, respectively.
z The texture of the rocks changes from slates and phyllites in the chlorite zone to schists
in the staurolite and kyanite zones, to schists and gneisses in the sillimanite zone.
As mentioned above, Tilley mapped the area in 1925, and extended the zones across the area
between the Highland Boundary Fault and into the Moinian Series, and renamed the chlorite
zone. Later, Wiseman (1934), mapped the metabasic rocks and Kennedy (1949) mapped the
meta calcareous sediments. Mineral assemblages in these rocks and their correlation with the
metamorphic zones in the pelitic rocks are shown in the table below.
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Index
Mineral
Basic Rocks Calcareous Rocks Facies
(Pelitic
Rocks)
Chlorite Chlorite, albite, epidote, qtz, muscovite, biotite, calcite
sphene, ± calcite Greenschist
Biotite ± actinolite garnet, zoisite, sodic
plagioclase, biotite or
Garnet hornblende
Staurolite Hornblende, plagioclase, garnet, anorthite or
Kyanite ±epidote, ±almandine, bytownite, hornblende Amphibolite
±diopside
garnet, anorthite or
Sillimanite
bytownite, pyroxene
Note that the metabasic rocks only define two zones, one corresponding to the chlorite and
biotite zones in the pelitic rocks, and the other corresponding to the staurolite, kyanite, and
sillimanite zones. The calcareous rocks define four zones. The lowest grade rocks are only
metamorphosed in the higher grade parts of the pelitic chlorite zone, another set of minerals
occurs in the calcareous rocks throughout the biotite and garnet zones, another mineral
assemblage is characteristic of the staurolite and kyanite zone, and a fourth mineral assemblage
is found in calcareous rocks of the sillimanite zone.
Note how the Anorthite content of plagioclase increases with increasing grade of
metamorphism in the basic rocks and the calcareous rocks.
The facies concept was developed by Eskola in 1939. Recall that the names of Eskola's facies
are based on mineral assemblages found in metabasic basic rocks. Applying the facies concept
to the Dalradian series of Scotland, one finds only two facies represented. The chlorite and
biotite zones represent greenschist facies metamorphism, and the garnet, staurolite, kyanite, and
sillimanite zones represent amphibolite facies metamorphism.
The structural history of the Dalradian and Moinian Series is complex. Deformation can be
divided into three main stages, based on structures found in the rocks and radiometric dating.
1. Between about 600 and 550 million years ago was a period of large scale recumbent
folding.
2. Between 550 and 480 million years ago simple anticlinal flooding with fold axes
plunging toward the southwest. During this stage, much of the metamorphism took place.
3. Between 480 and 420 million years ago minor refolding occurred accompanied by minor
retrograde metamorphism The retrograde metamorphism consisted of chloritization of
biotite and garnet, and seritization of kyanite.
These events occurred during the Caledonian Orogeny, when the European continental block
was colliding with the North American continental block, thus, in North America, this event is
correlative with the Appalachian Orogenies.
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There is apparently no correlation with stratigraphic depth in the Dalradian metamorphic rocks,
although there must be a correlation with tectonic depth. Pressure - Temperature estimates for
the Sillimanite zone indicate a maximum temperature of about 700oC and maximum pressure
of about 7 kb. This corresponds to a depth of about 25 km, and gives a geothermal gradient of
about 28oC /km (compared to a normal stable continental geotherm of 25oC /km
1. Three or more orogenic events affected the region. The most recent are:
b. The Acadian Orogeny - Devonian to Mississippian - 400 to 350 million years ago.
2. Thrust faulting during these three orogenic events sliced up the area. Some of these thrust
faults, like the Fries-Hayesville Thrust, shown below, occurred after metamorphism.
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z Greenschist Facies Rocks. These occur in the Carolina Slate Belt in the east, and near
the Great Smokey Fault in the west. Some greenschist facies rocks are also exposed in
structural windows within the central Blue Ridge Province. The following mineral
assemblages are observed:
{ Pelitic Rocks
Chlorite, sericite, quartz, albite, magnetite, ±garnet (highest grade greenschist
facies).
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, sericite, chlorite, K-spar, magnetite ± biotite, ±calcite, ±pyrite.
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{ Basic Rocks
chlorite, epidote, albite, quartz, hematite or
actinolite, chlorite, albite, quartz, magnetite.
{ Carbonate Rocks
dolomite, calcite, quartz, plagioclase, biotite ± sericite
z Amphibolite Facies Rocks. These occur throughout the eastern Blue Ridge Province
and in the Piedmont Province. Pressure and temperature calculations suggest that the
amphibolite facies rocks were metamorphosed between 500 and 850oC and 5 to 11
kilobars pressure. Migmatites accompany some of the higher grade assemblages, and are
expected since the maximum temperatures approach the range of wet granite melting.
{ Pelitic Rocks
quartz, muscovite, k-spar, ±staurolite, ±garnet, ±kyanite
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, muscovite, plagioclase, garnet, ±magnetite ±ilmenite.
{ Basic Rocks
hornblende, plagioclase, garnet, ±quartz, ±epidote, ±biotite, ±magnetite,
±ilmenite, ±pyrite.
{ Calcareous Rocks
rare marbles contain diopside and calcite. More siliceous calcareous rocks are seen
as pseudo-diorites (because they look like diorites in hand specimen) with zoisite,
garnet, and hornblende.
z Granulite Facies Rocks. Granulite Facies rocks occur in a small area near the crest of
the Blue Ridge Province in southeastern North Carolina (Winding Stair Gap). The rocks
here have suffered some retrograde metamorphism, but original granulite facies
assemblages are still discernable. Peak metamorphic conditions were apparently reached
in this area during the Taconic Orogeny. Pressure - Temperature calculations indicate
that the peak metamorphic conditions reached temperatures of 750 - 775oC and
pressures of 6.5 - 7.0 kb. This indicates a geothermal gradient of about 30oC/km.
{ Pelitic Rocks
biotite, garnet, sillimanite, K-spar, andesite, quartz, magnetite, ilmenite.
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
Quartz, andesine, K-spar, biotite, garnet, magnetite, ilmenite.
{ Basic Rocks
biotite, orthopyroxene, bytownite, quartz, magnetite, ilmenite, ±hornblende
(probably retrograde).
{ Calcareous Rocks
calcite, quartz, scapolite [Ca4Al3(Al,Si)3Si6O24(Cl,CO3,SO4)], ±grossularite,
±diopside, ±clinozoisite, ±sphene, ±apatite.
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{ Ultramafic Rocks
orthopyroxene, andesine, biotite, and retrograde minerals - hornblende,
cummingtonite, & quartz.
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z Zeolite Facies From the mineral assemblage listed below metamorphism of zeolite facies
rocks occurred at temperatures of 100 - 200oC and pressures of 1 to 3 kb.
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{ Metabasalts - again retain their primary igneous textures but contain such minerals
as epidote, laumontite, prehnite, and pumpellyite.
quartz, albite, k-spar, chlorite, sericite and veins of laumontite and prehnite
quartz, albite, pumpellyite, chlorite, sericite, hematite
quartz, albite, prehnite, pumpellyite, chlorite, sericite, hematite
z Blueschist Facies - most of the rocks of the blueschist facies do not retain their original
textures, and are now schistose. Typical mineral assemblages in various compositional
groups are as follows: Pressure temperature estimates for the mineral assemblages below
show a wide range, with temperatures from 125 to 350oC and pressures from 4 to 10 kb.
{ Pelitic Rocks
muscovite, chlorite, quartz, albite, lawsonite [CaAl2Si2O7(OH)2.H2O]
muscovite, chlorite, glaucophane [Na2Mg3Al2Si8O22(OH)2], garnet
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic (Metagraywackes)
quartz, muscovite, albite, chlorite, lawsonsite, aragonite, ± jadeitic pyroxene
±glaucophane, ±stilpnomelane ±sphene
{ Metacherts
quartz, crossite [Na2(Mg,Fe+2)3(Al,Fe+3)2Si8O22(OH)2], aegerine, hematite,
±aragonite or
quartz, stilpnomelane, garnet
{ Basic Rocks
glaucophane, lawsonite, albite, sphene
glaucophane, lawsonite, stilpnomelane, chlorite, albite, quartz
glaucophane, albite, quartz, garnet, muscovite
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{ Calcareous Rocks
aragonite, lawsonite, glaucophane
z Eclogite Facies rocks in the Franciscan are only found as exotic tectonic blocks
measuring a few meters in diameter. They are all metabasalts, and are characterized by
the presence of omphacitic pyroxene (a complex clinopyroxene rich in the jadeite
[NaAlSi2O6] component. Besides omphacitic pyroxene, the rocks contain garnet
(typically up to 50% pyrope component), rutile, sphene, and sometimes quartz.
Maximum temperature - pressure conditions for the eclogite mineral assemblages
indicate temperatures between 300 and 540oC and pressures from 6 to 14 kb.
z Zeolite Facies
{ Pelitic Rocks
illite/smectite, kaolinite, chlorite, quartz, hematite
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, albite, laumontite, sericite, chlorite, sphene
{ Basic Rocks
laumontite, analcite, pumpellyite, epidote, quartz, chlorite, sericite, sphene
{ Ultramafic Rocks
lizardite (serpentine), magnetite, magnesite, dolomite
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{ Calcareous Rocks
calcite, dolomite, quartz
z Prehnite-Pumpellyite Facies
{ Pelitic Rocks
muscovite, chlorite, quartz, albite, Na-rich amphibole, sphene, ±stilpnomelane
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, albite, muscovite, chlorite, calcite, graphite, sphene
{ Basic Rocks
Prehnite, Pumpellyite, epidote, calcite, albite, quartz, chlorite, sphene
{ Ultramafic Rocks
antigorite (serpentine), brucite, magnetite, dolomite
{ Calcareous Rocks
calcite, prehnite, chlorite, quartz
z Blueschist Facies
{ Pelitic Rocks
muscovite, chlorite, chloritoid, quartz, glaucophane, sphene, hematite
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, albite, lawsonite, chlorite, muscovite, calcite, glaucophane
{ Basic Rocks
epidote, glaucophane or crossite, actinolite, chlorite, albite, quartz, sphene
{ Ultramafic Rocks
antigorite, magnetite, magnesite, dolomite
{ Calcareous Rocks
aragonite, chlorite, hematite
z Greenschist Facies
{ Pelitic Rocks
muscovite, chlorite, quartz, albite, garnet, graphite
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, albite, epidote, chlorite, muscovite, graphite
{ Basic Rocks
crossite, epidote, chlorite, albite, garnet, quartz, muscovite, rutile
{ Ultramafic Rocks
antigorite, magnesite, brucite
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{ Calcareous Rocks
calcite, tremolite, quartz
z Amphibolite Facies
{ Pelitic Rocks
muscovite, biotite, quartz, oligoclase, garnet, epidote, graphite
{ Quartzo-Feldspathic Rocks
quartz, oligoclase, epidote, garnet, muscovite, rutile
{ Basic Rocks
hornblende, epidote, oligoclase, garnet, quartz, hematite
{ Ultramafic Rocks
olivine, diopside, tremolite, antigorite
{ Calcareous Rocks
calcite, diopside, quartz, grossularite
In 1961, Miyashiro noted that in the cicumpacific region, belts of high pressure, low
temperature metamorphism on the oceanic side were associated with belts of high pressure,
high temperature metamorphism on the continent side. He termed such an occurrence - Paired
Metamorphic Belts. The two examples he cited are:
1. Japan, where the Sanbagawa Belt represents the high pressure, low temperature belt, and
an adjacent belt, called the Ryoke-Abukuma Belt, represents the high pressure, high
temperature belt. Here the Ryoke-Abukuma belt consists of Barrovian and Buchan
Facies series metamorphic rocks.
2. The western U.S., where the Franciscan complex contains rocks metamorphosed at high
pressure and low temperature, and rocks exposed in the Klamath Mountains and Sierra
Nevada Mountains have remnants of Barrovian and Buchan Facies Series metamorphic
rocks. Since most of the Sierra Nevada mountains now consist of batholiths, as
discussed previously, one had to look at the roof pendants above the batholiths and in the
western foothills of the Sierra Nevada to see the high pressure - high temperature
metamorphic rocks.
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Other occurrences of paired belts have since been recognized throughout the world (see figure
19-12, page 387 in your text) and include areas in New Zealand, Indonesia, Washington State,
in the U.S., Chile, and Jamaica. Other such paired belts have been recognized in the Alps of
central Europe, the northern coast of South America.
Most of these areas show evidence of having been associated with convergent plate margins,
where subduction has occurred. It appears that subduction is necessary to produce the low
geothermal gradient necessary to form the belt of high pressure and low temperature. Such
belts are probably not more commonly persevered in the geologic record because during
blueschist facies metamorphism hydrous minerals are still present. Only if these rocks are
uplifted and exposed at the surface relatively rapidly after subduction ceases would they escape
being overprinted by facies of normal geothermal gradient, because there would still be fluids
available to make the greenschist and amphibolite facies mineral assemblages.
The high pressure- high temperature belts are expected to form in areas beneath the island arc
or continental margin volcanic arc. During emplacement of the arc, these areas are subject to
higher than normal geothermal gradients that could produce Buchan Facies Series metamorphic
Rocks. Furthermore, emplacement of batholiths and isostatic adjustment after magmatism has
ceased cause these belts of high T, high P metamorphism to be uplifted and exposed at the
surface.
In the case of the Japanese paired belts, the two belts are adjacent to one another likely because
subduction has moved farther off the coast. Compressional tectonics between the Pacific and
Eurasian Plate has accreted the island arc and trench complex to Japan at the end of the
Mesozoic.
In the case of the western U.S., the paired belts are separated from one another. This is because
the oceanic ridge that was off the western coast of North America was subducted, and the
margin changed from one dominated by compression and subduction to a transform fault
margin dominated by strike slip faulting. Isostatic rebound of the highly deformed Franciscan
Complex has resulted in its exposure at the surface.
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