Tectonite

Tectonites are <a href="/facts/Metamorphic_rock/JRp6dsCm">metamorphic</a> or <a href="/facts/Tectonics/jPcFacFP">tectonically deformed</a> <a href="/facts/Rock_(geology)/FXCJkmop">rocks</a> whose fabric reflects the history of their deformation, or rocks with <a href="/facts/Fabric_(geology)/SXCqKBwm">fabric</a> that clearly displays coordinated geometric features that indicate continuous solid (ductile) flow during formation. Planar foliation results from a parallel orientation of platey mineral phases such as the <a href="/facts/Phyllosilicate/WclrQW2I">phyllosilicates</a> or <a href="/facts/Graphite/sSf3KMXr">graphite</a>. Slender prismatic crystals such as <a href="/facts/Amphibole/2Nf6RDRA">amphibole</a> produce a lineation in which these prisms or columnar crystals become aligned.
Tectonites are rocks with minerals that have been affected by natural forces of the earth, which allowed their orientations to change. This usually includes recrystallization of minerals, and the foliation formation. Tectonites are studied through structural analysis and allows for the determination of two things:

<ul><li>The orientation of shearing and compressive stresses during (dynamic) metamorphism</li>
<li>The later (or final) stages of metamorphism</li></ul>
According to the nature of mineral orientation, there are three main groups of tectonites, L-tectonites, S-tectonites, and L-S tectonites. The different types reflect on the different ways that matter moves.

Tectonite open-in-new

Tectonite