Liigistumise

Liigistumise is a geological process in which rocks or minerals undergo transformation into new mineralogical forms due to changes in temperature, pressure, or chemically active fluids. This process typically occurs deep within the Earth's crust and is a key mechanism in the formation of metamorphic rocks. Liigistumise involves the recrystallization of original minerals into new textures and mineral assemblages, often retaining the original mineral composition but with altered structures.

The process is driven by conditions that differ from those in which the original rocks formed. Increased temperature and pressure modify the mineral stability fields, prompting minerals to reconfigure into stable forms suitable for the new environment. Fluids such as water or carbon dioxide can facilitate liigistumise by enhancing mineral dissolution and reprecipitation, which accelerates the transformation.

Liigistumise is distinct from weathering and erosion, as it occurs deep within the Earth's interior rather than at the surface. It plays a vital role in the rock cycle, contributing to the creation of slate, schist, gneiss, and other metamorphic rocks. The texture and mineral content of these rocks can provide geologists with valuable information about the pressure-temperature conditions during their formation.

Understanding liigistumise is important for geological mapping, resource exploration, and studying tectonic processes. The recognition of mineral changes and deformation patterns associated with liigistumise offers insights into the dynamic interactions between Earth's materials and the forces shaping its structure.