A xenolith ("foreign rock") is a rock fragment (country rock) that becomes enveloped in a larger rock during the latter's development and solidification. In geology, the term xenolith is almost exclusively used to describe inclusions in igneous rock entrained during magma ascent, emplacement and eruption. [1]

xenolith, rock fragment within an intrusive igneous body that is unrelated to the igneous body itself. Xenoliths, which represent pieces of older rock incorporated into the magma while it was still fluid, may be located near their original positions of detachment or may have settled deep into the intrusion, if their density is greater.

Apr 24, 2024 · A xenolith is a piece of rock trapped in another type of rock. Most of the time, a xenolith is a rock embedded in magma while the magma was cooling. Magma is the molten rock beneath Earth's crust that emerges as lava during a volcanic eruption .

Dec 7, 2023 · The term xenolith comes from two ancient Greek words: xeno = foreign and lithos = rock. It means foreign rocks. Why are they important? Geologists use them to understand the inaccessible mantle and deeper crust. Also, some may contain precious minerals or gemstones.

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A xenolith is a piece of rock trapped in another type of rock. Most of the time, a xenolith is a rock embedded in magma while the magma was cooling. Magma is the molten

Xenolith-bearing volcanics and kimberlites occur in many different tectonic settings, giving a wide lateral sampling of the continents. Lower crustal xenoliths from arc volcanics are chiefly mafic in composition and sediments are rare to absent.

Xenolith and xenocrystal Xenoliths are fragments of older rocks included in younger igneous rocks. Xenoliths form when magma migrates within the lithosphere incorporating pieces of other rocks within it.

A xenolith (foreign rock) is a rock fragment which another rock surrounds. It happens most in igneous rock when magma is fluid enough to flow round more solid rock. Xenoliths may be covered in the margins of a magma chamber, torn loose from the walls of a flow of lava or picked up along the ground by flowing lava on Earth's surface.

A fragment of country rock within a plutonic or volcanic rock. Xenolith is a piece of rock trapped in another type of rock.