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Metasomatism identification and geology

A metamorphic process involving the chemical alteration of a rock by the introduction and/or removal of chemical components through interaction with fluids. Unlike isochemical metamorphism which changes mineralogy without changing bulk composition , metasomatism changes the rock's overall chemistry. Skarns, greisens, and many hydrothermal alteration zones are products of metasomatism. Field: geochemistry. Example: Metasomatic skarn formation at the contact between the Bingham Canyon stock and Pennsylvanian limestone in Utah produced garnet-pyroxene assemblages that host major copper-gold-molybdenum mineralization.. Related terms: Skarn, Hydrothermal alteration, Replacement, Fluid.

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  • 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
2026-03-30T15:19:42.055955+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 Metasomatism mean in geology?
A metamorphic process involving the chemical alteration of a rock by the introduction and/or removal of chemical components through interaction with fluids. Unlike isochemical metamorphism which changes mineralogy without changing bulk composition , metasomatism changes the rock's overall chemistry. Skarns, greisens, and many hydrothermal alteration zones are products of metasomatism.
What is an example of Metasomatism?
Metasomatic skarn formation at the contact between the Bingham Canyon stock and Pennsylvanian limestone in Utah produced garnet-pyroxene assemblages that host major copper-gold-molybdenum mineralization.
Which earth-science field uses the term Metasomatism?
Metasomatism is used in geochemistry.
Which terms are related to Metasomatism?
Related terms in this reference are Skarn, Hydrothermal alteration, Replacement, Fluid.

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