Metamorphism Of Marble
Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock types in a process called metamorphism which means change in form.
Metamorphism of marble. In its pure form marble is a white stone with a crystalline and sugary appearance consisting of calcium carbonate caco 3 usually marble contains other minerals including quartz graphite pyrite and iron oxides these minerals can give marble a pink brown gray green or variegated coloration. Shock metamorphism when a large meteorite collides with the. It is composed primarily of the mineral calcite caco 3 and usually contains other minerals such as clay minerals micas quartz pyrite iron oxides and graphite under the conditions of metamorphism the calcite in the limestone recrystallizes to form a rock that is. It is composed primarily of calcium carbonate.
In this hand specimen of vermont marble the crystals are small. This type of metamorphic rock consists of recrystallized calcite in limestone or dolomite in dolomite rock. A calcite grains grow larger and increase in size. Contact metamorphism is the name given to the changes that take place when magma is injected in the surrounding solid rock country rock.
Marble is made by regional metamorphism of limestone or dolomite rock causing their microscopic grains to combine into larger crystals. Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism. Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals most commonly calcite or dolomite marble is typically not foliated although there are exceptions in geology the term marble refers to metamorphosed limestone but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompasses unmetamorphosed limestone. C limestone grains react to form quartz and feldspars.
B clays crystallize to micas forming a highly foliated mica rich rock. The original rock is subjected to heat temperatures greater than 150 to 200 c and pressure 100 megapascals 1 000 bar or more causing profound physical or chemical change the protolith may be a sedimentary igneous or existing metamorphic rock. D calcite grains are dissolved away leaving only marble crystals. The light colored half of the image is all marble the dark half is an igneous intrusion that through contact metamorphism made the marble from limestone.
These are parts of the original dolostone that for some reason were not as easily stretched and thinned. The specimen shown above is about two inches five centimeters across. Any type of magma body can lead to contact metamorphism from a thin dyke to a large stock. Marble is commonly used for sculpture and as a building material.
Marble is a non foliated metamorphic rock that is produced from the metamorphism of limestone or dolostone. The type and intensity of the metamorphism and width of the metamorphic aureole will depend on a number of factors including the type of country rock the. Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to high pressure or heat. This marble saw a fair amount of stretching as evidenced by the lens shaped pods.
Marbles have a variety of colors and are often complexly banded.