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Skarn identification and geology

A calc-silicate metamorphic rock formed by metasomatism at or near the contact between an igneous intrusion and carbonate country rock limestone or dolomite . Skarns are composed of calcium-magnesium-iron silicate minerals such as garnet andradite-grossular , pyroxene diopside-hedenbergite , wollastonite, and epidote. They are economically important hosts for deposits of copper, tungsten, iron, zinc, lead, tin, and gold. Field: economic geology. Example: The Mactung tungsten deposit in the Yukon-Northwest Territories border region is a massive skarn containing scheelite tungsten ore formed at the contact between a Cretaceous granite and Cambrian limestone.. Related terms: Contact metamorphism, Metasomatism, Garnet, Wollastonite.

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
2026-03-30T15:19:42.096023+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 Skarn mean in geology?
A calc-silicate metamorphic rock formed by metasomatism at or near the contact between an igneous intrusion and carbonate country rock limestone or dolomite . Skarns are composed of calcium-magnesium-iron silicate minerals such as garnet andradite-grossular , pyroxene diopside-hedenbergite , wollastonite, and epidote. They are economically important hosts for deposits of copper, tungsten, iron, zinc, lead, tin, and gold.
What is an example of Skarn?
The Mactung tungsten deposit in the Yukon-Northwest Territories border region is a massive skarn containing scheelite tungsten ore formed at the contact between a Cretaceous granite and Cambrian limestone.
Which earth-science field uses the term Skarn?
Skarn is used in economic geology.
Which terms are related to Skarn?
Related terms in this reference are Contact metamorphism, Metasomatism, Garnet, Wollastonite.

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