Lecture 7

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6.2 What is the role of temperature in metamorphism?

• Temperature increases along a geothermal gradient as rocks move deeper into Earth's crust (via burial or tectonic action) or are adjacent to igneous intrusions.
• Increasing temperature is an expression of the transfer of heat that drives chemical reaction during metamorphism such as dehydration and degassing.
• Minerals are stable within a defined range of temperature and pressure, outside of which they break down and form new minerals.