fracturevein

A fracturevein is a geological feature consisting of a fracture or crack in rock that has been subsequently filled with mineral deposits. These deposits are often crystalline in nature and can vary widely in composition depending on the surrounding rock and the fluids that flowed through the fracture. Common minerals found in fractureveins include quartz, calcite, and various metallic sulfides. The formation process typically begins with tectonic activity or other stresses that cause the rock to fracture. Groundwater or other hydrothermal fluids, often rich in dissolved minerals, then percolate into these open fractures. As the conditions change, such as a decrease in temperature or pressure, or a change in the fluid's chemical composition, the dissolved minerals precipitate out of the fluid and accumulate within the fracture, gradually filling it. The width of a fracturevein can range from microscopic to several meters, and their length can extend for considerable distances through the rock mass. They are important indicators of past fluid movement and can play a role in the economic geology of an area, as some fractureveins host valuable ore deposits. In some cases, the minerals within a fracturevein may be more resistant to erosion than the surrounding rock, leading to the formation of raised ridges on exposed rock surfaces.