Rate and mechanism in prograde metamorphism

For a given rate of heat input into a prograde metamorphic sequence the extent of overstep of reaction temperature (disequilibrium) depends on the slowest of three sequential steps: (a) surface detachment of reactant minerals, (b) transport of material to the site of mineral growth, and (c) nucleation and growth of the product mineral. We have developed analytical expressions which enable determination of the rates of mineral dissolution and growth and of advective and diffusive mass transport during metamorphism. The dissolution and growth steps are linear functions of the driving force (-? G) of the overall reaction while diffusion may take place either through a grain boundary fluid film or through the disorganized grain boundary itself.