Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Mylonites are a type of rock formed by dynamic metamorphism, specifically through extreme cataclastic deformation. This process occurs along fault planes or in zones of intense shearing, where the rock's texture is altered by ductile shearing or mechanical shattering of grains. Mylonites are characterized by their extremely fine-grained nature, often appearing laminated with layers formed from deformed material. While they may show slight development of new minerals, their texture is primarily a result of the physical deformation of the original rock.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.