Weekly Learning Activity Sheets Earth Science Grade 11 Quarter 2, Week 2B
Weekly Learning Activity Sheets Earth Science Grade 11 Quarter 2, Week 2B
Weekly Learning Activity Sheets Earth Science Grade 11 Quarter 2, Week 2B
METAMORPHISM
Learning Competency:
Describe the changes in mineral components and texture of rocks due to changes in
pressure and temperature (metamorphism) (MELC S11ES-IIc-d-26)
Specific Objectives:
Key Concepts
Definition of Metamorphism
"Metamorphism" comes from the Greek: meta = after, morph = form, so metamorphism means
the after form.
- changing of one type of rock to another as a result of great heat, great pressure,
and chemical change.
- occurs at temperatures and pressures higher than 200 0C and 300 MPa. Rocks
can be subjected to these higher temperatures and pressures as they become
buried deeper in the Earth. Such burial usually takes place as a result of tectonic
processes such as continental collisions or subduction.
- The upper limit of metamorphism occurs at the pressure and temperature of wet
partial melting of the rock in question. Once melting begins, the process changes
to an igneous process rather than a metamorphic process.
1. Regional Metamorphism - occurs when rocks over a large region are exposed to great heat
and pressure this is due to deep burial or to movements of rocks in the earth’s crust.
2. Contact Metamorphism – occurs when rocks are heated as they come into contact with
magma or lava.
4. Hydrothermal metamorphism - ensues from contact with fluids heated by igneous rock
When pressure and temperature change, chemical reactions occur to cause the minerals in
the rock to change to an assemblage that is stable at the new pressure and temperature
conditions. But, the process is complicated by such things as how the pressure is applied,
the time over which the rock is subjected to the higher pressure and temperature, and
whether or not there is a fluid phase present during metamorphism.
During metamorphism the protolith undergoes changes in texture of the rock and the
mineral make up of the rock. These changes take place mostly in the solid state and are
caused by changes in physical or chemical conditions, which in turn can be caused by such
things as burial, tectonic stress, heating by magma or interactions with fluids.
The critical feature of the parent rock is its mineral composition. This is because
the stability of minerals—how they are influenced by changing conditions—is what
determines which minerals form as metamorphism takes place. When a rock is subjected
to increased temperatures and pressures, some minerals will undergo chemical reactions
and turn into new minerals, while others might just change their size and shape.
Pressure has implications for mineral stability, and therefore the mineral content
of metamorphic rocks, but it also determines the texture of metamorphic rocks.
When directed pressure (or directed stress) acts on a rock, it means the stress on the
rock is much greater in one direction than another.
4. The types of fluids (mostly water) that are present during metamorphism.
Water is the main fluid present within rocks of the crust, and the only one
considered here. The presence of water is important for two main reasons. First, water
facilitates the transfer of ions between minerals and within minerals, and therefore
increases the rates at which metamorphic reactions take place. This speeds the process
up so metamorphism might occur more rapidly, or metamorphic processes that might
not otherwise have had time to be completed are completed.
Most metamorphic reactions occur very slowly. Estimates of the growth rates of
new minerals within a rock during metamorphism suggest that new material is added to
the outside of mineral crystals at a rate of approximately 1 mm per million years. Very
slow reaction rates make it difficult to study metamorphic processes in a lab.
Learning Objective:
Ruler
Pencil
What to do
Directions: Complete the concept map about metamorphism by supplying the missing words
and phrases.
Define metamorphism
Learning Objectives:
1. Simulate some of the ways in which metamorphic rocks are formed; and
2. explain how both increased pressure and temperature affect the mineral components and
texture of rocks.
Shallow dish
100 ml water
stove
pot holder
casserole
1 raw egg
salt
What to do:
casserole
Dish
Note: The casserole of water represents an igneous intrusion, the cooked egg white represents the
metamorphic aureole and the unchanged egg white models unchanged country rock. The
igneous intrusion is, of course, always hotter than the country rock.
This simulation can then lead into a discussion about how contact with extreme heat can alter the
texture of existing rocks.
2. Explain what causes the egg white to change its components and textures outside the
casserole. Answer in 3 sentences.
Reflection
Metamorphism is the changing of one type of rock to another as a result of great
heat, great pressure, and chemical change. If there is great temperature and pressure in
the Earth’s interior, rocks and minerals will be melted and liquefy. Can you name your
birthstone? Do you think your birthstone is a product of metamorphism? Explain in 5
sentences.
Danielson, E. W. & Denecke, Jr., E. J. (2008). Earth Science. Macmillan Publishing Company.
New York. pp 233-235
Nelson, Stephen A. 2017. Physical Geology. Tulane University. Accessed November 2, 2020.
https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens1110/metamorphic.pdf
Lusk, Alexander. Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks. Geology. Accessed November 2, 2020.
https://earth.usc.edu/~luska/Docs/GEOL115/LECTURES/8%20-
%20Metamorphic%20rocks.pdf