GREISEN Meaning and
Definition
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Greisen is a geological term that refers to a type of granite matrix characterized by the presence of abundant quartz and an admixture of white mica and tourmaline minerals. It is formed through a process known as metasomatism, which involves the alteration of pre-existing rocks due to hydrothermal activity. Greisen typically occurs in areas of extensive tin mineralization.
The word "greisen" is derived from the German word for grizzled, which alludes to the speckled appearance of the rock caused by the distribution of light and dark minerals within it. This distinguishes greisen from ordinary granites. The rock formation commonly displays a fine-grained texture with a gray to white coloration, resulting from the crystallization of quartz and mica minerals during the hydrothermal alteration process.
Greisen is typically found in association with tin-bearing veins or ore bodies. The alteration of the host rock occurs when a mineral-rich hydrothermal fluid infiltrates the surrounding rock and replaces the original minerals with quartz and white mica. The tourmaline content in greisen is often low but can be significant in certain occurrences.
Due to its association with tin deposits, greisen has economic importance as it serves as an indicator for potential tin mineralization. It is often mined as an ore resource for tin, sometimes in combination with other minerals such as wolframite or cassiterite.
In summary, greisen is a distinctive type of granite matrix characterized by abundant quartz, white mica, and occasionally tourmaline minerals. It forms through metasomatic alteration in the presence of hydrothermal fluids and is often associated with tin mineralization.
Common Misspellings for GREISEN
- freisen
- vreisen
- breisen
- hreisen
- yreisen
- treisen
- geeisen
- gdeisen
- gfeisen
- gteisen
- g5eisen
- g4eisen
- grwisen
- grsisen
- grdisen
- grrisen
- gr4isen
- gr3isen
- greusen
Etymology of GREISEN
The word "greisen" comes from German. It is derived from the Middle High German word "grīsen", which means "to become gray". In German, "grau" means "gray". The term "greisen" was initially used in the context of geology and mining to refer to a type of coarse-grained granite that has been altered by the process of hydrothermal metasomatism. Over time, the term "greisen" was adopted by the English language to describe this specific type of rock.
Similar spelling words for GREISEN
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