ABSTRACT
Contact metamorphism typically occurs where sedimentary or low-grade metamorphic rocks have been intruded by plutons, but they can also be found where such protoliths were brought into fault contact with hot crustal or mantle slabs. Heating of the fine-grained, reactive rock causes changes to rock mineralogy and texture, forming a region of metamorphic effects next to the heat source: the contact metamorphic zone or aureole.
