Pressure solution
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Pressure solution or pressure dissolution in structural geology and diagenesis is a deformation mechanism that involves the dissolution of minerals at grain to grain contacts into an aqueous pore fluid in areas of relatively high stress and either deposition in regions of relatively low stress within the same rock or their complete removal from the rock within the fluid. It is an example of diffusive mass transfer [1].
[edit] Occurrence
Evidence for pressure solution has been described from sedimentary rocks that have only been affected by compaction. The most common example of this is bedding plane parallel stylolites developed in carbonates.
Tectonically deformed rocks also show evidence of pressure solution including stylolites at a high angle to bedding [2]. The process is also thought to be an important part of the development of cleavage.
