Metamorphism Of Limestone Into Marble

Sometime during the late cretaceous magma melted its way into the area coming close enough its heat to change the limestone into marble a process known as contact metamorphism.

Metamorphism of limestone into marble. Marble is a metamorphic rock which is a form of limestone that has been transformed through heat and pressure of metamorphism into a dense crystallized rock. D calcite grains are dissolved away leaving only marble crystals. In the early stages of the limestone to marble transformation the calcite crystals in the rock are very small. Some marble also forms by contact metamorphism when a hot magma body heats adjacent limestone or dolostone.

A calcite grains grow larger and increase in size. During metamorphism this calcite recrystallizes and the texture of the rock changes. The soft clay rich rock known as shale when subjected to pressure becomes a harder rock called slate. Evidence for this is the presence of granite formed as that magma cooled located not far below the marble.

In this hand specimen of vermont marble the crystals are small. Marble is made by regional metamorphism of limestone or dolomite rock causing their microscopic grains to combine into larger crystals. This occurs when limestone for example is subjected to heat and pressure and turns into a more coarsely crystalline and sometimes banded rock called marble. The fact that marble gleams white and reflects object informs us that it has gone through the metamorphic stage withstanding heat water.

Marble is a metamorphic rock resulting from regional or rarely contact metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks either limestone or dolomite rock or metamorphism of older marble. 8 x8 8 x16 and 16 x24 more. This metamorphic process causes a complete recrystallization of the original rock into an interlocking mosaic of calcite aragonite and or dolomite crystals. If limestone is metamorphosed at relatively low temperatures and pressures it recrystallizes into marble.

B clays crystallize to micas forming a highly foliated mica rich rock. This type of metamorphic rock consists of recrystallized calcite in limestone or dolomite in dolomite rock. What major change occurs during metamorphism of limestone to marble.