Geology Dictionary

 

 

 

Xenoblast:

A crystal that has grown in a rock during the process of metamorphism and which has not developed its characteristic crystal faces because of space limitations.

 

Xenolith:

A pre-existing rock that has been incorporated into magma without melting. When the magma crystallizes the pre-existing rock fragment is known as a xenolith.

 

X‐ray Diffraction:

A technique used to identify minerals by bombarding them with X‐rays. Planes of repetition within the atomic structure of the mineral diffract the X‐rays. The pattern of diffraction is unique for each mineral structure and can be used for identification.