The inhibiting effect of organic carbon on contact metamorphic recrystallization of limestones

Abstract

In Upper Teesdale, Northern England, some limestones have been metamorphosed to a saccharoidal marble near to the contacts with the Whin Sill. This marble is virtually restricted to Upper Teesdale although the Whin Sill is found, intruded into the Carboniferous sequence, over most of Northern England. Petrographical and geochemical studies have shown that the marmorisation of the limestones is mainly dependent upon their non-carbonate carbon content and also the distance from the Whin Sill contact. Analyses show that only small amounts of carbon (0.5–1.0%) are required to inhibit recrystallization in the limestones.