amphibolite facies

amphibolite facies
One of the major divisions of the mineral facies classification of metamorphic rocks, encompassing rocks that formed under conditions of moderate to high temperatures (950°F, or 500°C, maximum) and pressures.

Less-intense temperatures and pressures form rocks of the epidote-amphibolite facies, and more-intense temperatures and pressures form rocks of the granulite facies. Amphibole, diopside, epidote, plagioclase, certain types of garnet, and wollastonite are minerals typically found in amphibolite facies rocks. They are widely distributed in Precambrian gneisses and probably formed in the deeper parts of folded mountain belts.

* * *

      one of the major divisions of the mineral-facies classification of metamorphic rocks, the rocks of which formed under conditions of moderate to high temperatures (500° C, or about 950° F, maximum) and pressures. Less intense temperatures and pressures form rocks of the epidote-amphibolite (epidote) facies, and more intense temperatures and pressures form rocks of the granulite facies. Amphibole, diopside, epidote, plagioclase, almandine and grossular garnet, and wollastonite are minerals typically found in rocks of the amphibolite facies. The disappearance of epidote and increase in calcium in plagioclase are characteristic chemical changes as metamorphic intensity increases through this facies. Water is usually lost from the parent rock as these changes take place. Amphibolite facies rocks are widely distributed in orogenic belts; they are interpreted as having formed in the deeper parts of these folded mountain belts.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • epidote-amphibolite facies — One of the major divisions of the mineral facies classification of metamorphic rocks, encompassing rocks that formed under moderate temperature (500–750°F, or 250–400°C) and pressure conditions. This facies grades into the greenschist facies… …   Universalium

  • Amphibolite — (pronEng|æmˈfɪbəlaɪt) is the name given to a rock consisting mainly of hornblende amphibole, the use of the term being restricted, however, to metamorphic rocks. The modern terminology for a holocrystalline plutonic igneous rocks composed… …   Wikipedia

  • facies — /fay shee eez , sheez/, n., pl. facies. 1. general appearance, as of an animal or vegetable group. 2. Geol. the appearance and characteristics of a sedimentary deposit, esp. as they reflect the conditions and environment of deposition and serve… …   Universalium

  • amphibolite — amphibolitic /am fib euh lit ik/, adj. /am fib euh luyt /, n. Petrog. a metamorphic rock composed mainly of amphibole and plagioclase. [1825 35; AMPHIBOLE + ITE1] * * * Igneous or metamorphic rock composed largely or dominantly of amphibole… …   Universalium

  • FACIÈS MINÉRALOGIQUE D’ESKOLA — «Un faciès minéralogique est l’ensemble des roches formées en conditions de pression et de température si semblables qu’une même composition chimique fournisse le même ensemble de minéraux (paragenèse minéralogique) quel que soit le mode de… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • amphibolite — ● amphibolite nom féminin Roche métamorphique composée essentiellement d amphibole. ● amphibolite (expressions) nom féminin Faciès amphibolite, degré de métamorphisme moyen correspondant au domaine de stabilité de la hornblende …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Faciès amphibolite — ● Faciès amphibolite degré de métamorphisme moyen correspondant au domaine de stabilité de la hornblende …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Metamorphic facies — Eclogite Blueschist Greenschist Prehnite Pumpellyite …   Wikipedia

  • granulite facies — One of the major divisions of the mineral facies classification of metamorphic rocks, encompassing rocks that formed under intense temperature pressure conditions (higher than 950°F, or 500°C). The minerals found in the rocks of granulite facies… …   Universalium

  • metamorphic rock — Any of a class of rocks that result from the alteration of preexisting rocks in response to changing geological conditions, including variations in temperature, pressure, and mechanical stress. The preexisting rocks may be igneous, sedimentary,… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”