MAGMA FORMATION
Magma – Composed of molten or partially molten rock which is stored under the
Earth’s suface.
When Magma Reaches the surface – reffered as lava
Magma is formed when hot rocks in the Earth partially melt which occurs when:
- Pressure Decreases
- Volatiles are added to hot rocks
- Heat transferred by magma rising from the mantle into the crust
Volatile - An element or compound, such as H2O or CO2, that forms a gas at a
relatively low pressure and magmatic temperature.
PROCESSES
Decompression melting – Creating magma by reducing the pressure at a
constant temperature.
Flux Melting – occurs upon introduction of volatiles which breaks the chemical
bond in rocks and at the same time lowers the melting temperature of the rocks
HOW MAGMA RISES?
Density Contrast – Magma rises faster when the different density between the magma and
the surrounding rock is greater.
At deeper levels – magma passes mineral grain boundaries and cracks in the surrounding
rock.
When enough mass and bouyancy is attained, the overlying surrounding rock is pushed
aside as the magma rises.
Depending on surrounding pressure and other factors, the magma can be ejected to the
Earth’s surface or rise at shallower levels underneath.
Buoyancy - tendency of an object to float in a fluid
At shallower levels – magma may no longer rise because its density is almost the same as
that of the country rock. The magma starts to accumulate and slowly solidifies
2 ANOTHER REASON WHY MAGMA RISE:
VISCOSITY – Measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow
Magmas with low viscosity, more easily than those with high viscosity.
Temperature, silica content and volatile content control the viscosity og magma
METAMORPHISM
METAMORPHISM – As a response to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids,
minerals become unstable and change into another without necessarily changing
the composition.
THE MINERAL COMPOSITION OF THE RESULTING METAMORPHIC ROCK IS
INFLUENCED BY:
1. Mineral Composotion of the original or parent rock.
EX. 1
LIMESTONE MARBLE
(PARENT ROCK) TO
PARENT ROCK – called (PROTOLITH)
MINERAL COMPOSITION – The stability of minerals is what counts when
metamorphism takes place.
EX. 2
RED SHALE GNEISS
(PROTOLITH) TO (METAMORPHIC ROCK)
2. Composition of fluid that was present
- WATER = MAIN FLUID within the rocks of the crust
IMPORTANCE:
- Water facilitates the transfer of ions, and therefore increases the rates of
metamorphic reactions
- Elevates concentration of dissolved substances
Important medium for moving certain elements around within the
Crust
Allows transportation of ions from one palce to another
Important in huydrothermal processes.
3. Amount of temperature and pressure during metamophism
TEMPERATURE
- Controls the type of metamorphism
Mineral stability is a function of temperature, pressure, and the presence of
fluids.
All minerals are stable over a specific range of temperatures.
EX. 1
Quartz is table from surface temperatures up to about 1800°C.
- If the pressure ↑, the upper limit will be higher.
- If water is present, the upper limit will be lower.
Some minerals will crystallize into different polymorphs depending on the
temperature and pressure.
- Amount of pressure and temperature during metamorphism
PRESSURE
1. Mineral stability
2. texture of metamorphic rocks
Mineral grains are squeezed together.
May contain mineal polymorphs in which the atoms are more closely
Packed
Pressures within the crust are typically not applied equally inall directions
- The pressure in one direction is greater than in other directions.
Rocks subjected to sheer stress = rocks become viliated
INDEX MINERALS FOR METAMORPHIC ROCKS
- associated with a specific range of temperature and pressure conditions
during metamorphism
