Stylolite

Stylolites are fine linear and wavy -pointed structures in sedimentary rocks, mainly in carbonate rocks, often looming in vein -like reddish, violet, yellowish or gray color. You are a phenomenon of geophysical induced pressure solution processes in rock bodies.

Term

The name of this rock feature is derived from the Greek word for pillar στυλος.

Foreign language names

English: stylolite; French: stylolithe, stylolite; Russian: стилолит; Italian: stilo lite; Polish: stylolit; Portuguese: estilólito; Romanian: Stilo Lite

Mode of origin

Stylolites form in sedimentary rocks when increased pressure ( applied load ) lead to partial disintegration of minerals in the rock. Typically, they run along bedding planes, joint planes and laminations. Due to the pressure effects of lateral forces ( tectonic stress) they also occur vertically, oblique-angled, or network on the Sedimentationsebenen. Stylolites therefore often form an interlocking of interfaces of adjacent layers. They are then difficult to distinguish from fine fractures if they have trained little jagged shapes. But veins Frakturell have caused in their course often at a diverging width.

Manifestations

Stylolites are often found in relatively chemically pure and homogeneous rocks. Their characteristic image are sawtooth jagged veins. They mainly occur in carbonate sedimentary rocks. In rare cases, stylolites ( argillites ) were also observed in quartzites, sandstones and mudstones. The viewer fall especially those on with red, purple or black color. Stylolites in gray and beige tones are less obvious. The colors are mostly coming from iron or Manganoxidimprägnationen, similar to the dendrites in sedimentary rocks. Other sedimentary rocks contain structures along the stylolithischen clayey layers and Malachiteinlagerungen.

The colored mineral deposits are the solution residues of the compressive stresses. In some cases, calcite and quartz accompanied the irregular surface stylolithischer structures.

At the grain boundaries of oolitics or bulbous rock structures Mikrostylolithen may occur. They are observed in some oolitic limestones and nodular.

Another form set bundle-like manifestations of stylolites in the decimeter in sedimentary rocks dar.

Technical and optical effects

You are in cut stones often as an attractive line image then noticeable when the ingot was sawed perpendicular to Sedimentationsebene. Can the rock for technical reasons only saw parallel to the layer plane, to stylolite flag as patchy - cloudy fine structures and produce a colored overall influence in the area or spot-like formations, which can lead to a significant color variation in the produced batches.