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Aureole identification and geology

The zone of thermally metamorphosed rock surrounding an igneous intrusion, also called a contact aureole or metamorphic aureole. The width of the aureole depends on the size and temperature of the intrusion, ranging from centimeters around thin dikes to several kilometers around large batholiths. Metamorphic grade decreases progressively outward from the intrusion contact, and diagnostic contact metamorphic minerals such as garnet, andalusite, and cordierite may develop. Field: petrology. Example: The contact aureole surrounding the Bushveld Complex in South Africa extends several kilometers into the country rock, producing hornfels and calc-silicate skarns with economically significant mineral assemblages.. Related terms: Contact metamorphism, Hornfels, Intrusion, Skarn.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.970235+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Aureole mean in geology?
The zone of thermally metamorphosed rock surrounding an igneous intrusion, also called a contact aureole or metamorphic aureole. The width of the aureole depends on the size and temperature of the intrusion, ranging from centimeters around thin dikes to several kilometers around large batholiths. Metamorphic grade decreases progressively outward from the intrusion contact, and diagnostic contact metamorphic minerals such as garnet, andalusite, and cordierite may develop.
What is an example of Aureole?
The contact aureole surrounding the Bushveld Complex in South Africa extends several kilometers into the country rock, producing hornfels and calc-silicate skarns with economically significant mineral assemblages.
Which earth-science field uses the term Aureole?
Aureole is used in petrology.
Which terms are related to Aureole?
Related terms in this reference are Contact metamorphism, Hornfels, Intrusion, Skarn.

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