Isograd

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In geology, an isograd is a line in the field of constant metamorphic grade; it also separates zones of different metamorphic grades. On geologic maps focusing on metamorphic terrains (or landscapes underlain by metamorphic rocks), the boundaries between rocks of different metamorphic grade are commonly demarcated by isograd lines. The garnet isograd, for example, would mark the first occurrence of garnet in the rocks.

The minerals present in a metamorphic rock are important because laboratory experiments at high pressures and temperatures have provided a lot of information on the pressure and temperature conditions under which certain metamorphic minerals form. For example, with increasing temperature and pressure the first minerals to form from a shale are micas, particularly chlorite and biotite. With increasing temperature and pressure garnet appears, and then kyanite (⇒high pressure) or sillimanite (⇒high temperature). Rocks with chlorite are referred to as greenschist grade, those with garnet as garnet-grade, and so forth. To communicate this easily, the dominant metamorphic minerals in schists are usually included in the name, as, for example, garnet schist, or garnet-staurolite schist, and so forth.