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METACONGLOMERATE

NONFOL METACNGLM big.jpg (360272 bytes) Metaconglomerate

 

METACONGLM 1 big.jpg (355696 bytes)METACONGLM 1A big.jpg (556777 bytes)

Foliated Metaconglomerate

Metaconglomerates are the metamorphic equivalents of conglomerates.  Heat and sometimes pressure are the agents of metamorphism that create metaconglomerates.  The distinguishing characteristic between a metaconglomerate and a conglomerate is how the rock breaks.  In a typical conglomerate the cement hold the grains together is not a durable as the grains themselves.  When broken the  cement gives way - it breaks around the grains.  However, in a metaconglomerate, the cement has been crystallized and is often as strong as the rock particles.  As a result, upon breaking a metaconglomerate, the break is through the grains.

    In the image above of the metaconglomerate, the break is through the grains.

    The second image shows the result of heat and pressure upon a metaconglomerate.  The grains of quartz have behaved plastically and flattened perpendicular to the maximum compressional force.  This is thus an example of a foliated metaconglomerate.