How does water effect metamorphic process

The role of water in metamorphism is determined by the independent variables rock pressure, temperature, water pressure, and the amount of water present.

Explanation:

1) Water pressures lower than the rock pressure cause metamorphic reactions to run at lower temperatures.

2) Water facilitates the transfer of ions between minerals and within minerals, and therefore increases the rates at which metamorphic reactions take place.  So, while the water doesn’t necessarily change the outcome of a metamorphic process, it speeds the process up so metamorphism might take place over a shorter time period, or metamorphic processes that might not otherwise have had time to be completed are completed.

3) Water, especially hot water, can have elevated concentrations of dissolved substances, and therefore it is an important medium for moving certain elements around within the crust. So not only does water facilitate metamorphic reactions on a grain-to-grain basis, it also allows for the transportation of ions from one place to another. This is very important in hydrothermal processes, which are discussed toward the end of this chapter, and in the formation of mineral deposits.

Explanation:

the index of refraction of the second medium is higher. i just took the test trust me !