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Discordant identification and geology

Describing a geological feature that cuts across the bedding, foliation, or other pre-existing structure of the surrounding rock. Discordant intrusions include dikes, volcanic necks, and diapirs. An unconformity is also discordant when erosion has tilted or folded the underlying strata before deposition of the overlying beds angular unconformity . Contrasted with concordant. Field: structural geology. Example: A basaltic dike cutting vertically through horizontal limestone beds is a classic discordant intrusion, demonstrating the principle of cross-cutting relationships the dike is younger than the limestone .. Related terms: Concordant, Dike, Angular unconformity, Cross-cutting.

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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
2026-03-30T15:19:41.999576+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 Discordant mean in geology?
Describing a geological feature that cuts across the bedding, foliation, or other pre-existing structure of the surrounding rock. Discordant intrusions include dikes, volcanic necks, and diapirs. An unconformity is also discordant when erosion has tilted or folded the underlying strata before deposition of the overlying beds angular unconformity . Contrasted with concordant.
What is an example of Discordant?
A basaltic dike cutting vertically through horizontal limestone beds is a classic discordant intrusion, demonstrating the principle of cross-cutting relationships the dike is younger than the limestone .
Which earth-science field uses the term Discordant?
Discordant is used in structural geology.
Which terms are related to Discordant?
Related terms in this reference are Concordant, Dike, Angular unconformity, Cross-cutting.

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