The Transformation of Clay Minerals in Triassic Mudstone of North Shaanxi Province During Burial Metamorphism

According to the analysis of X-ray diffraction and the investigation under electron microscope (SEM, TEM) of clay minerals, the transformation of clay minerals in Triassic mudstone during burial metamorphism has been studied in detail. Berthierine, the mixed layer of illite and chlorite, and the changeable texture from berthierine to chlorite have been first discovered in the paper; and then it is considered that the transformation of clay minerals during burial metamorphism is shown in the following reaction: Smectite+ Kaolinite + K~+ = lllite + Chlorite + Quartz. The metamorphic temperature of the above reaction is about 160—220℃, according to the calculation of oxygen isotope geothermometry of illite and quartz. The study of crystallinity and polytype of illite and chlorite shows that the different indexes have varied in regular way, and have certain functional relationship between them.