How Do You Spell SHOCK METAMORPHISM?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɒk mˌɛtəmˈɔːfɪzəm] (IPA)

The term "shock metamorphism" refers to the alteration of rocks due to the impact of high-velocity meteorites or other impactors. The spelling of this word is based on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. In IPA, "shock" is spelled /ʃɑk/, with the initial "sh" representing the voiceless postalveolar fricative sound, and the "o" representing the open-mid back rounded vowel sound. "Metamorphism" is spelled /ˌmɛtəˈmɔrzəm/, with the emphasis on the second syllable and the initial "meta-" indicating a change or transformation.

SHOCK METAMORPHISM Meaning and Definition

  1. Shock metamorphism is the geological process by which rocks undergo significant changes in their physical and chemical properties due to the sudden application of intense pressure and energy released by a shock event, such as a meteorite impact, volcanic eruption, or a nuclear explosion. These high-energy events create an extreme shock wave that propagates through the rocks, causing rapid and drastic changes.

    During shock metamorphism, rocks experience several characteristic changes. The intense pressure causes minerals to deform, creating microscopic fractures, or shocked lamellae, which are indicative of the extreme conditions experienced. These fractures can lead to the formation of microscopic mineral grains, such as high-pressure polymorphs, which are not found under normal geological conditions. The energy released during the shock event also generates high temperatures, causing melting and re-crystallization of minerals.

    The effects of shock metamorphism vary depending on the intensity of the shock wave and the characteristics of the rocks involved. Rocks subjected to moderate levels of shock metamorphism may display evidence of only minor changes, such as the presence of planar deformation features (PDFs) within minerals. However, at higher levels of shock, rocks can exhibit complete melting, the formation of impact breccias (rock fragments fused together), and the creation of high-pressure minerals like diamond or coesite.

    The study of shock metamorphism is important in understanding the processes and consequences of extreme impact events, such as large meteorite impacts. It provides valuable insights into the physical and chemical behavior of rocks under extreme pressure and energy conditions, and contributes to our understanding of the Earth's geological history and the formation of impact structures.

Etymology of SHOCK METAMORPHISM

The word "shock" originates from the Middle French word "choquer", meaning "to collide" or "to strike against", which is derived from the Old French word "choc". It further traces back to the Late Latin word "soccus", meaning "a low-heeled slipper". In English, "shock" refers to an impact or sudden collision.

"Metamorphism" comes from the Greek roots "meta", meaning "change", and "morphē", meaning "form" or "shape". It generally refers to the process of transforming or changing the structure or composition of a material.

Therefore, the term "shock metamorphism" combines "shock" to describe the intense and sudden impact or collision, and "metamorphism" to highlight the resulting alteration or change in the structure or physical properties of rocks or minerals due to the impact event.