pressure-temperature-time path
Quick Summary
In geology, a pressure-temperature-time (P-T-t) path describes the history of a rock as it undergoes metamorphism. This path traces how a rock's pressure and temperature conditions change over time, influencing its mineralogy and fabric.12
Metamorphism occurs when existing rocks are altered by changes in temperature, pressure, and stress, or by the addition or removal of chemical components. These changes can be caused by factors like magma intrusion (contact metamorphism) or large-scale tectonic plate movements (regional metamorphism).2
The specific P-T-t path a rock follows depends on its tectonic setting, which dictates the rates of burial, uplift, heating, and cooling. By studying these paths, geologists can reconstruct past tectonic processes.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
