Article
Article
Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism
Article By:
Liou, Juhn G. Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
Last reviewed:August 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.900163
Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism is the mineralogical and structural modification of predominantly continental and minor oceanic crustal rocks at subduction-zone depths greater than 80–90 km. Discovery of tracts of upper continental crust metamorphosed at mantle pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions has recently revolutionized our understanding of plate tectonics. The recognition of continental deep-subduction responsible for the formation and subsequent return of UHP rocks to the surface from depths >100 km in collisional mountain belts has been an intensively studied subject in the earth sciences. For compositions and stability of minerals See also: Metamorphism; Petrology
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