metasomatism

American  

[met-uh-soh-muh-tiz-uhm] / ˌmɛt əˈsoʊ məˌtɪz əm /

Also metasomatosis

noun

Geology.

1. the series of metamorphic processes whereby chemical changes occur in minerals or rocks as a result of the introduction of material, often in hot aqueous solutions, from external sources.

2. replacement.

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metasomatism British  

/ ˌmɛtəˌsəʊməˈtəʊsɪs, ˌmɛtəˈsəʊməˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. change in the composition of a rock or mineral by the addition or replacement of chemicals

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metasomatism Scientific  

/ mĕt′ə-sō′mə-tĭz′əm /

1. The process by which the chemical composition of a rock is changed through the introduction or extraction of chemicals dissolved in fluids that migrate through the rock's pores. Metasomatism often results in the formation of new minerals, especially metal ore deposits.

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Other Word Forms

• metasomatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of metasomatism

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + somat- + -ism