What was quartzite before it metamorphosed?

What was quartzite before it metamorphosed?

Wicklow is comprised of the metamorphic rock quartzite, which was formed by thermal metamorphism. Quartzite forms when quartz-rich sandstone is altered by heat, pressure, and chemical activity of metamorphism. They originally formed as igneous rocks 1750-1780 million years ago.

How is quartzite created?

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed when quartz-rich sandstone or chert has been exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Such conditions fuse the quartz grains together forming a dense, hard, equigranular rock.

What is quartzite made out of?

quartzite, sandstone that has been converted into a solid quartz rock. Unlike sandstones, quartzites are free from pores and have a smooth fracture; when struck, they break through, not around, the sand grains, producing a smooth surface instead of a rough and granular one.

What type of metamorphic rock is quartzite?

Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts.

Is serpentinite a metamorphic rock?

Serpentinite (Fig. 7.12) is a metamorphic rock mostly composed of one or more of the serpentine group minerals that include antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile. The serpentinite depicts fascinating shades of green color and usually layered and banded.

What is serpentinite metamorphic grade?

Serpentinite is a low grade metamorphic rock, formed from the hydration and oxidation of ultramafic rocks (primarily peridotite). The resulting minerals (including serpentine, brucite and/or magnetite) have a much lower density, resulting in large structural changes and the destruction of the original mineral forms.

What is serpentinite made up of?

The serpentinite is formed by the hydrous alteration and low-temperature metamorphic alteration of igneous ultramafic rocks. These rocks are composed of olivine and pyroxene in different ratios to form peridotite and pyroxenite.