katamorphismn.
/katəˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/ Geology.
Alteration of rocks (usually at or near the earth's surface) characterized by the formation of chemically simpler minerals from more complex ones.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > metamorphism > [noun]
metamorphism1845
regional metamorphism1861
contact metamorphism1876
plutonometamorphism1889
thermo-metamorphism1889
anamorphism1904
katamorphism1904
symphrattism1904
1904 C. R. Van Hise Treat. Metamorphism (U.S. Geol. Surv.) 43 The geological factor which in this treatise will serve as the primary basis for a classification of metamorphism is the dominant factor of depth. On this basis metamorphism will be classified into (1) alterations in the zone of katamorphism and (2) alterations in the zone of anamorphism... The zone of katamorphism may be defined as the zone in which the alterations of rocks result in the production of simple compounds from more complex ones.
1946 Amer. Mineralogist 31 288 It is very well known that oxidation is one of the important chemical processes of katamorphism, especially of weathering.
Derivatives
kataˈmorphic adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > metamorphism > [adjective]
metamorphic1833
thermo-metamorphic1889
post-metamorphic1900
potassic1902
sodic1902
katamorphic1904
symphrattic1904
retrogressive1930
retrograde1932
Scourian1950
1904 C. R. Van Hise Treat. Metamorphism (U.S. Geol. Surv.) 162 Katamorphic zone.
1916 F. H. Lahee Field Geol. ix. 230 Any kind of alteration that any rock has undergone, whether katamorphic or anamorphic, comes under the head of metamorphism, but there are many geologists who prefer to restrict the meaning of the more general term so that it does not include weathering.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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n.1904