Overprinting (geology)

Overprinting is a geological process that leaves marks altering the marks of an earlier process. Examples include various phases of deformation of rocks in such a way that the initial structures are modified, sometimes even beyond recognition.

In this orthogneiss from the Czech Republic the original igneous rock texture has been overprinted by foliation associated with metamorphism.

Geochemical signatures can also be overprinted when the geochemistry of a geological body is changed by eliminating or modifying the earlier geochemical signature.