Here's why:
* Temperature: 600 degrees Celsius falls within the typical temperature range for amphibolite facies metamorphism (around 550-750 degrees Celsius).
* Pressure: 14 kb (kilobars) is a moderate pressure that aligns with the pressure conditions for amphibolite facies metamorphism.
* Basalt: The starting material, basalt, is a common mafic igneous rock rich in minerals like plagioclase and pyroxene. Under these metamorphic conditions, these minerals will recrystallize and transform into the characteristic minerals of amphibolite.
Typical Minerals in Amphibolite:
* Hornblende: A dark-colored amphibole mineral.
* Plagioclase: A feldspar mineral, often with a more calcium-rich composition than in the original basalt.
* Quartz: A common mineral in metamorphic rocks.
Other Possible Metamorphic Rocks:
* Greenschist: At lower temperatures (around 300-500 degrees Celsius), the metamorphic rock produced from basalt would be greenschist.
* Eclogite: At higher temperatures (above 750 degrees Celsius) and pressures (above 15-20 kb), basalt would metamorphose into eclogite.
Key takeaway: The specific metamorphic rock produced from basalt depends on both temperature and pressure. In this case, the combination of 600 degrees Celsius and 14 kb leads to the formation of amphibolite.