Felsic and Mafic Rock and Mineral Differences
Felsic and mafic are field terms we use to classify igneous rocks, their magma, or lava. This classification is based on their mineral composition, i.e.,
Felsic and mafic are field terms we use to classify igneous rocks, their magma, or lava. This classification is based on their mineral composition, i.e.,
Felsic describes rocks, magma, or lava high in silica and felsic minerals. Felsic minerals are rock-forming silicates high in silicon, oxygen, aluminum, potassium, and sodium.
Mafic rocks, minerals, and magmas are common terms in geology, geosciences, or Earth sciences. You often come across them in igneous rocks and when looking
Harzburgite is a coarse-grained, dark-colored ultramafic plutonic rock. It has mainly olivine, orthopyroxene, and a small amount of clinopyroxene. Ultramafic rocks are low in silica
Xenoliths are foreign rock pieces or fragments trapped in an igneous rock body (host). However, a broader definition will include foreign rocks trapped in sedimentary
Holocrystalline describes igneous rock texture made of wholly or entirely crystals with no glass. Glass is an amorphous or uncrystallized solid or mineraloid. Usually, rocks
Xenocrysts refer to mineral crystals trapped or caught up in an igneous rock. These crystals are foreign (alien) to the rock they occur in. By
Troctolite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock. It has mainly variable amounts of olivine, calcic plagioclase, and minor pyroxene. Its composition lies between anorthosite, where
Latite is an intermediate volcanic or extrusive rock. It has a fine-grained texture and is often porphyritic. This rock has nearly equal plagioclase and alkali