Where is Garnet Amphibolite found?
Amphibolite with Almandine Garnet
Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appGarnet Amphibolite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Garnet Amphibolite
Fennoscandian Shield
Extensive occurrences in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, often associated with Precambrian basement complexes.
Appalachian Mountains, USA
Found in various metamorphic belts throughout the Appalachian orogen, particularly in New England and the Piedmont region.
Himalayan Orogen, Asia
Present in high-grade metamorphic zones resulting from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Scottish Highlands, UK
Common in the Caledonian orogen, particularly in areas of high-grade metamorphism.
Western Gneiss Region, Norway
Known for high-pressure metamorphic rocks, including garnet amphibolites and eclogites.
Collecting tips
- Look for Metamorphic Terrains. Focus your search on areas known for regional metamorphism, such as ancient shield areas, mountain ranges, and exposed basement complexes.
- Identify Key Minerals. Look for the characteristic dark green to black prismatic crystals of hornblende and the distinct reddish-brown to dark red, often rounded, crystals of almandine garnet within a medium- to coarse-grained matrix.
- Observe Foliation. While not always strongly foliated, some garnetiferous amphibolites may show a preferred orientation of hornblende crystals, indicating metamorphic fabric.
- Check for Associated Rocks. Garnetiferous amphibolites often occur alongside other high-grade metamorphic rocks like gneisses, schists, and migmatites.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Dark green to black with red garnets
- Luster:
- Vitreous to silky (amphibole), vitreous (plagioclase), vitreous to resinous (garnet)
- Streak:
- White to grayish-white (for individual minerals, rock streak is not diagnostic)
Explore Garnet Amphibolite
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.