hornfels

American  

[hawrn-felz] / ˈhɔrn fɛlz /

noun

1. a dark, fine-grained metamorphic rock, the result of recrystallization of siliceous or argillaceous sediments by contact metamorphism.

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hornfels British  

/ ˈhɔːnfɛlz /

noun

1. Also called: hornstone.  a hard compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat from a magmatic intrusion on neighbouring sedimentary rocks

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hornfels Scientific  

/ hôrn′fĕlz′ /

1. A fine-grained metamorphic rock having a uniform grain size and formed by contact metamorphism.

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Etymology

Origin of hornfels

1850–55; < German, equivalent to Horn horn + Fels rock, cliff

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hornfels

Fine-grained shale and basalt, which happen to be chemically similar, characteristically recrystallize to produce hornfels.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

A third non-foliated rock is hornfels identified by its dense, fine-grained, hard, blocky or splintery texture composed of several silicate minerals.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

If the hornfels formed in a situation without directed pressure, then these minerals would be randomly orientated, not foliated as they would be if formed with directed pressure.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Metamorphic rocks formed in environments without strong directed pressure include hornfels, marble, and quartzite.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

They are excessively variable in their mineralogical composition, and very often alternate in thin seams with biotite hornfels and indurated quartzites.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 6 "Home, Daniel" to "Hortensius, Quintus" by Various