METAMORPHIC SYSTEM Meaning and
Definition
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A metamorphic system is a geological term used to describe a complex set of processes that result in the transformation of rocks into new forms through intense heat, pressure, and chemical reactions. It refers to the changes that occur in rocks due to the metamorphism process.
Metamorphism is the process whereby pre-existing rocks called protoliths undergo profound physical and chemical changes in response to changes in temperature, pressure, and the presence of fluids. This process typically occurs deep beneath the Earth's surface, often within the Earth's crust or upper mantle. These conditions cause the minerals within the rocks to recrystallize, leading to the formation of new minerals and the development of new textures and structures.
A metamorphic system involves various components, including the protolith, which acts as the starting material, and factors such as temperature, pressure, and time, which determine the degree and nature of metamorphic changes. The system also encompasses the fluids present, which can facilitate the transport of elements and induce chemical reactions within the rocks.
Metamorphic systems can result in the formation of a wide range of rock types, including marble, gneiss, schist, and slate. The specific type of rock formed depends on the original composition of the protolith and the particular conditions of temperature and pressure it experiences during metamorphism.
Understanding metamorphic systems is crucial for geologists as they provide valuable insights into Earth's history, tectonic processes, and the evolution of rocks over time.
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In geol., those crystalline schists, as gneiss, quartz-rock, micaschist, and clay-slate, which underlie all the fossiliferous strata, and in which no trace of organic remains has yet been detected.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for METAMORPHIC SYSTEM
- netamorphic system
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Etymology of METAMORPHIC SYSTEM
The word "metamorphic" originates from the Greek words "meta" meaning "change" and "morphē" meaning "form" or "shape". The term "metamorphic" refers to the process of transformation or change in form.
The word "system" comes from the Latin word "systēma" which means "organized body of knowledge or doctrines". It was derived from the Greek word "sustēma" meaning "composition" or "combination".
Therefore, the term "metamorphic system" combines the Greek roots for change and form with the Latin root for an organized body of knowledge or doctrines, suggesting a system or framework that deals with the transformation or change of form. In the context of geology, the term specifically refers to the processes and interactions involved in the formation of metamorphic rocks through the alteration of existing rocks under conditions of high temperature and pressure.
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