Low Grade Metamorphism

Diagenesis refers to those changes which take place in sediments after sedimentation but before lithification (the conversion to solid rock), while metamorphism is defined as the process whereby alterations to the composition, texture or mineralogy take place in consolidated rocks. However, the boundary between diagenesis and metamorphism is gradual/transitional and somewhat arbitrary; it cannot be sharply defined. A consequence of this is that studies of rocks affected by alteration at low temperatures and pressures have been neglected. Within the last decade, however, more attention has been focused on this type of alteration and significant advances have been made in the field of low-grade metamorphism, particularly over the last five years or so. The Caledonide rocks of Wales have been at the forefront of such investigations.