1. the separation of a mineral phase from a solid solution during cooling, resulting in two or more distinct mineral phases within a single crystal or grain
Usage: geology; mineralogy; technical

Examples

• Exsolution of feldspar from a cooling magma creates visible lamellae in the crystal structure.
• The geologist identified exsolution textures in the mineral sample under the microscope.
• Exsolution occurs when a homogeneous solid solution becomes unstable at lower temperatures.
• The perthitic texture in the granite resulted from exsolution of potassium feldspar and plagioclase.
• Exsolution is an important process in understanding the thermal history of igneous rocks.