Why do some mountains contain bands of different-coloured minerals?
Quick Answer
Heat and pressure can separate minerals into layers during metamorphism. Mineral-rich fluids and partial melting can also create striped patterns in the rock.
The Full Story
Different-coloured bands in mountain rocks often appear in metamorphic rocks such as gneiss. Under intense heat and pressure, minerals can recrystallize and segregate into light and dark layers based on chemistry and crystal structure. In some cases, fluids moving through the rock help concentrate certain minerals in separate bands. These patterns usually form deep underground during mountain building, not on the surface. They are visible today because erosion later exposed the deeper crust.
Key Facts
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