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Metamorphism identification and geology

The process by which existing rocks are transformed into new rock types through changes in mineralogy, texture, and/or chemical composition in response to conditions of elevated temperature, pressure, and/or chemically active fluids, without passing through a melt stage. Major types include regional metamorphism associated with mountain building , contact metamorphism adjacent to intrusions , and dynamic metamorphism along fault zones . Field: petrology. Example: Progressive regional metamorphism of shale produces a sequence of increasingly metamorphosed rocks: slate → phyllite → schist → gneiss → migmatite, with each stage marked by the growth of new, higher-grade minerals.. Related terms: Regional metamorphism, Contact metamorphism, Facies, Grade.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:42.055955+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Metamorphism mean in geology?
The process by which existing rocks are transformed into new rock types through changes in mineralogy, texture, and/or chemical composition in response to conditions of elevated temperature, pressure, and/or chemically active fluids, without passing through a melt stage. Major types include regional metamorphism associated with mountain building , contact metamorphism adjacent to intrusions , and dynamic metamorphism along fault zones .
What is an example of Metamorphism?
Progressive regional metamorphism of shale produces a sequence of increasingly metamorphosed rocks: slate → phyllite → schist → gneiss → migmatite, with each stage marked by the growth of new, higher-grade minerals.
Which earth-science field uses the term Metamorphism?
Metamorphism is used in petrology.
Which terms are related to Metamorphism?
Related terms in this reference are Regional metamorphism, Contact metamorphism, Facies, Grade.

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