hornfels

horn·fels

H0279225 (hôrn′fĕlz′)n. pl. hornfels A fine-grained metamorphic rock composed of quartz, feldspar, mica, and other minerals, formed by the metamorphism of sedimentary rocks from heat associated with magma.

[German : Horn, horn; see hornblende + Fels, rock, cliff (from Middle High German vels, from Old High German felis).]

hornfels

(ˈhɔːnfɛlz) n (Geological Science) a hard compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat from a magmatic intrusion on neighbouring sedimentary rocks. Also called: hornstone [German: literally, horn rock]

horn•fels

(ˈhɔrn fɛlz)

n. a dark fine-grained metamorphic rock, the result of recrystallization of siliceous or argillaceous sediments by thermal metamorphism. [1850–55; < German, =Horn horn + Fels rock, cliff]

hornfels

A type of granular, fine-grained metamorphic rock.

Thesaurus

Noun

hornfels - a fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat on clay rockshornstonemetamorphic rock - rock altered by pressure and heat

Hornfels

hornfels

[′hȯr‚felz] (petrology) A common name for a class of metamorphic rocks produced by contact metamorphism and characterized by equidimensional grains without preferred orientation.

Hornfels

a dense, fine-grained rock produced by the action of an instrusive body on the enclosing rocks. Hornfels differs in composition from the rocks that have been metamorphosed. Clay rocks become hornfels containing cordierite, andalusite, sillimanite, garnet, biotite, and feldspars. Basalts, basalt tuffs, and graywackes become hornfels with pyroxenes, basic plagioclase, and hornblende. Marls become hornfels with wollastonite, olivine, spinel, and carbonates. As the quantity of carbonates increases, hornfels become contact marbles.

hornfels

horn·fels

hornfels

horn•fels

hornfels

Hornfels

hornfels

Hornfels

hornfels

Synonyms for hornfels

noun a fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat on clay rocks

Synonyms

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