Lab 6 Geology
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Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Lab 6
Metamorphic Rocks
CE 342 Geology
Dr. John Schuring Spring 2023
1) Briefly explain the difference between foliated and nonfoliated metamorphic rocks,
including their formative environments and textures. Give three examples of each.
When temperature and pressure apply to a Igneous or sedimentary rock it will convert
to metamorphic rock. And the minerals like platy and elongated minerals are arranged
in a plane called foliation surface or we can say a rock is foliated. The non foliated rocks
are those which have no platy minerals. The main platy minerals are mica and
amphibole.
2) When a metamorphic rock forms from a “parent” igneous or sedimentary rock, it tends
to follow a specific sequence or series. List the metamorphic series for the
following rocks: Shale, Sandstone, Limestone, and Basalt.
Going from:
Shale to Schist
Sandstone to Quartzites
Limestone to Marble
Basalt to greenschist
All these parent rocks become metamorphic rocks in their respective temperature and pressure
conditions.
3) Which metamorphic rock(s) will react to dilute hydrochloric acid. Also, indicate
whether or not the rock surface needs to be powdered.
Marble is limestone that has undergone metamorphosis. The mineral calcite is found in
limestone, which is a sedimentary rock. When a drop of weak hydrochloric acid is dropped on
the rock, it bubbles and fizzes, releasing carbon dioxide. This means that the rock is made up of
calcite. To produce an observable reaction, minerals like calcite and dolomite must be
powdered.
4) In a metamorphic rock, how is the orientation of foliation related to stress?
The preferred orientation of phyllosilicates, such as clay minerals, micas, and chlorite, causes
the majority of foliation. When a rock is deformed under directed pressure during
metamorphism, the minerals may become elongated in the direction perpendicular to the main
stress. Foliation is then formed as a result of this.
5) Is contact metamorphism likely to produce foliated rocks? Why?
No, because the pressure in regional metamorphism causes the minerals to re-align into layers.
This is because contact metamorphism occurs when a rock is close enough to a magma
chamber to reach extremely high temperatures without melting. This changes the bonds of the
minerals in the rock to create crystals.
6) When marble and quartzite are encountered in the field, they have a similar
appearance. What two tests could you use to tell them apart?
Marble and quartzite can be very similar in appearance. Fortunately, there are a couple of
simple tests one can perform to tell the difference between them: the scratch test and the acid
test.
7) Metamorphic Foliation. Name the kinds of foliation depicted below
A. Slate
B. Phyllitic
8) Identifying Veins: A short video is posted in Canvas demonstrating a lab test of an
actual vein. Use the information in your course materials to identify the mineralogy of the
vein. Explain the process and reasoning that you used.
Veins are dilated fractures which are filled by minerals. The deposits in veins may be quartz,
calcite or carbonate minerals which can be found in all sorts of rocks. The thickness of the vein
may vary from a millimeter to several meters. Veins provide information on stress, strain,
temperature, pressure, fluid composition, etc.
9) 15-Specimen Collection: Examine the identified metamorphic rock collection provided.
Compare the specimens with the information in the Table 3.3.1, Figure 3.3.5, and the
Course Notes, and then fill in the information in the table below.
Specimen
No.
Rock
Name
Texture
(Foliated/
Non-foliated)
Foliation
Description
(if foliated)
Metamorphic
Grade
(low/medium/
high)
Other
Observations
1
Gneiss
Foliated
Gneissic
Med - High
Has quartz
and
mica
2
Graphite
Schist
Foliated
Slaty
High
Very dark
mineral
3
Muscovite
Schist
Foliated
Schistic
Med - High
Very small
mineral
4
Garnet Schist
Foliated
Schistic
Med
Fine grained
mineral
5
Chlorite
Schist
Foliated
Schistic
Low
Has Quartz
and Feldspar
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