Metamorphism
![Schematic representation of a metamorphic reaction. Abbreviations of minerals: act = actinolite; chl = chlorite; ep = epidote; gt = garnet; hbl = hornblende; plag = plagioclase. Two minerals represented in the figure do not participate in the reaction, they can be quartz and K-feldspar. This reaction takes place in nature when a rock goes from amphibolite facies to greenschist facies.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Metamorphic_reaction_EN.svg3953.png")
![A metamorphic aureole in the Henry Mountains, Utah. The greyish rock on top is the igneous intrusion, consisting of porphyritic granodiorite from the Henry Mountains laccolith, and the pinkish rock on the bottom is the sedimentary country rock, a siltstone. In between, the metamorphosed siltstone is visible as both the dark layer (~5cm thick) and the pale layer below it.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Metamorphic_Aureole_in_the_Henry_Mountains3954.JPG")
![Metamorphic Facies with regard to temperature and pressure](/Images/godic/202501/08/Metamorphic_Facies3954.jpg")
Metamorphism is the change of minerals or geologic texture (distinct arrangement of minerals) in pre-existing rocks (protoliths), without the protolith melting into liquid magma (a solid-state change). The change occurs primarily due to heat, pressure, and the introduction of chemically active fluids. The chemical components and crystal structures of the minerals making up the rock may change even though the rock remains a solid. Changes at or just beneath Earth's surface due to weathering and/or diagenesis are not classified as metamorphism. Metamorphism typically occurs between diagenesis 200°C, and melting 850°C.