Description: Xenolith is a fragment of rock that is trapped within another rock, typically in the context of igneous rocks. This term comes from the Greek ‘xenos’, meaning strange or foreign, and ‘lithos’, meaning stone. Xenoliths are of great interest to geologists as they can provide valuable information about geological conditions and processes that occurred in the past. Their study allows for an understanding of the Earth’s formation history and the evolution of rocks. Xenoliths can vary in size, shape, and composition, and are often older than the surrounding rock, making them witnesses to previous geological events. These fragments may include minerals, metamorphic rocks, or even remnants of sedimentary rocks, reflecting the complexity of geological processes. The presence of xenoliths in a rock can indicate that it formed from magma that ascended from significant depths, carrying fragments of the Earth’s crust with it. In summary, xenoliths are key elements in geology as they offer clues about tectonic history and the composition of the Earth’s mantle.
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