I too would like an answer to this question as it seems hornfels could be of varying grade dependant on the temperature. The facies of contact metamorphism progress in temperature at relatively low pressure from the Albite-Epidote Hornfels Facies to the Hornblende Hornfels Facies, to the Pyroxene Hornfels Facies.
It seems that hornfels do have differant grades.
Typically an opaque green, greenish-brown, brown or black color.
Hornfels typically feels hard and dense, with a fine-grained texture. It may have a slightly rough or granular surface due to its fine interlocking crystals. It can feel smooth when polished.
hornfels is red
Hornfels typically exhibits a dull to somewhat metallic luster. Its fine-grained texture and dense composition often result in a matte appearance, although some varieties may display a slight sheen due to mineral content. Overall, hornfels is not known for a high luster like some other metamorphic rocks.
Contact metamorphism is most likely to change shale to hornfels. This process occurs when rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures due to contact with a magma intrusion, leading to the recrystallization of minerals in the original rock. Hornfels is typically formed under these conditions and is characterized by a fine-grained, non-foliated texture.
Typically an opaque green, greenish-brown, brown or black color.
Hornfels typically feels hard and dense, with a fine-grained texture. It may have a slightly rough or granular surface due to its fine interlocking crystals. It can feel smooth when polished.
hornfels is red
Hornfels is generally fine-grained in texture, with grain sizes ranging from medium to fine. The grains are typically too small to be individually distinguished without the aid of a magnifying glass or microscope.
Hornfels typically exhibits a dull to somewhat metallic luster. Its fine-grained texture and dense composition often result in a matte appearance, although some varieties may display a slight sheen due to mineral content. Overall, hornfels is not known for a high luster like some other metamorphic rocks.
Contact metamorphism is most likely to change shale to hornfels. This process occurs when rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures due to contact with a magma intrusion, leading to the recrystallization of minerals in the original rock. Hornfels is typically formed under these conditions and is characterized by a fine-grained, non-foliated texture.
The protolith of hornfels is typically a fine-grained sedimentary rock such as shale or mudstone. These rocks undergo metamorphism due to high temperatures and pressure, resulting in the formation of hornfels.
Hornfels is a metamorphic rock formed by the contact between mudstone / shale, or other clay-rich rock, and a hot igneous body, and represents a heat-altered equivalent of the original rock. This process is termed contact metamorphism. Because pressure is not a factor in the formation of hornfels, it lacks the foliation seen in many metamorphic rocks formed under high pressure and temperature regimes. Pre-existing bedding and structure of the parent rock is generally destroyed during the formation of hornfels.
Hornfels is a metamorphic rock that forms when pre-existing rocks are subjected to high temperatures, but relatively low pressures. The minerals in the original rock recrystallize to form new minerals in response to the heat without undergoing significant deformation. Hornfels typically has a fine-grained texture and exhibits no preferred orientation of its mineral grains.
Nonfoliated Heat and litho-static pressure predominate. Results in a recrystallization of existing material. These factors are everywhere beneath the surface. this is why.
A non-foliated contact metamorphic rock is called a hornfels. Hornfels is called so because of its exceptional toughness and texture both reminiscent of animal horns.
Hornfels is a metamorphic rock that is often used in the construction industry for making tiles, countertops, and other decorative building materials. It can also be used as a material for sculptures or as a decorative stone in landscaping.