A tectonite is a deformed rock with fabric elements (textural features) that reflect the history of the deformation. In contrast, the textures of unmetamorphosed rocks are developed primarily through processes of sedimentation, crystallization, and flow in the liquid state. Therefore, the latter textures do not reflect a history of deformation, and rocks with such textures are not tectonites. However, compaction of sediments and late-stage solid-state shearing during intrusion or extrusion of igneous rocks are deformation processes sensu stricto, and the rocks that undergo such processes become tectonites. Thus, some sedimentary and igneous rocks are tectonites. Nevertheless, tectonite is used now almost exclusively for metamorphic rocks.
The term tectonite was proposed and defined by Sander (1912, 1930; see etymology and translations in Dennis, 1967). Although some confusion was created by Sander's early use of the word for both a fabric and a rock (Dennis, 1967; Turner and Weiss, 1963...
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Raymond, L.A. (1987). Tectonite . In: Structural Geology and Tectonics. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31080-0_117
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