Consult the figure below.A mineral within a metamorphic rock that can be used to provide a narrow constraint on the temperature and pressure of formation of the rock is termed a(n)____________.

A)thermineral
B)index mineral
C)mafic mineral
D)halide mineral

Question

Consult the figure below.A mineral within a metamorphic rock that can be used to provide a narrow constraint on the temperature and pressure of formation of the rock is termed a(n)____________.

A)thermineral 
B)index mineral 
C)mafic mineral 
D)halide mineral

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Index minerals are minerals that form at specific temperatures and pressures and are used to provide a narrow constraint on the conditions of metamorphism. Other minerals in the rock may have formed over a broader range of conditions and not be as useful for constraining the conditions of metamorphism. Thermineral and halide minerals are not commonly used as index minerals, and mafic minerals are a broad group of minerals that may or may not be useful for constraining metamorphic conditions depending on the specific mineral and the conditions of formation.

Consult the Figure Below