Geological Terms Beginning With "X"

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Xenoblast:

A crystal that has grown in a rock during the process of metamorphism and which has not developed its characteristic crystal faces because of space limitations.

Xenolith:

A preexisting rock that has been incorporated into magma without melting. When the magma crystallizes the preexisting rock fragment is known as a xenolith.

Xerophyte:

A plant that can survive in a very dry location or climate.

X-ray Diffraction:

A technique used to identify minerals by bombarding them with X-rays. Planes of repetition within the atomic structure of the mineral diffract the X-rays. The pattern of diffraction is unique for each mineral structure and can be used for identification.

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