Isograd

In geology, an isograd is a plane of constant metamorphic grade in the field; it separates metamorphic zones of different metamorphic index minerals. On geologic maps focusing on metamorphic terranes (or landscapes underlain by metamorphic rocks), the boundaries between rocks of different metamorphic grade are commonly demarcated by isograd lines. The garnet isograd, for example, would mark the first occurrence of garnet in the rocks.

The minerals present in a metamorphic rock are important because laboratory experiments at high pressures and temperatures have provided a lot of information on the pressure and temperature conditions under which certain metamorphic minerals form. For example, with increasing temperature and pressure the first minerals to form from a shale are micas, particularly chlorite and biotite. With increasing temperature and pressure garnet appears, and then kyanite (at relatively high pressure) or sillimanite (at relatively high temperature). The metamorphic zone with chlorite can be referred to as the chlorite zone, the zone with garnet as garnet zone, and so forth. To communicate this easily, the dominant metamorphic minerals in schists are usually included in the name, as, for example, garnet schist, or garnet-staurolite schist, and so forth.

See also

• Metamorphism
• Metamorphic facies

References

• Best, M.G., 2003, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Blackwell Publishing (2nd ed.), ISBN 978-1-4051-0588-0
• Marshak, Stephen, 2009, Essentials of Geology, W. W. Norton & Company, 3rd ed. ISBN 978-0393196566
• Philpotts, A.R., 1990, Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-691361-X