What type of rocks are described as either felsic or mafic?
Composition
| Mode of Occurrence | Mineral Composition | |
|---|---|---|
| Felsic | Mafic | |
| Volcanic/Extrusive | Rhyolite | Basalt |
| Plutonic/Intrusive | Granite | Gabbro |
Why is igneous rock called Mother rock?
Answer : Igneous rock is derived from the Latin word called ‘Ingis’ which means Fire. Igneous rock is popularly known as primary rocks or mother rocks because all other rocks are directly or indirectly formed from Lava and Magma. Lava and Magma are the materials which are found under the earth surface.
What is the main difference between igneous rocks that are termed felsic and mafic?
Mafic vs Felsic The difference between Mafic and Felsic rocks are the silica content present. Since igneous rocks are characterised by silica content in them, mafic is the one with less silica content (approx. 45-55%) while felsic is the one with a greater silica content (approx. 70-90%).
How would you describe igneous rocks that are mafic?
mafic rock, in geology, igneous rock that is dominated by the silicates pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, and mica. These minerals are high in magnesium and ferric oxides, and their presence gives mafic rock its characteristic dark colour.
Where are felsic rocks formed?
crust
Felsic magma usually originates in the crust or by the shedding of mafic minerals as magma rises through the crust. The igneous texture tells us how the magma cooled and solidified.
Which of the following characteristics describes a felsic plutonic igneous rock?
Describe felsic igneous rocks. Felsic igneous rocks are rich in feldspar and silica. They are light-colored: white, light gray, and pink to red. They are abundant in light-colored minerals, such as quartz, orthoclase, biotite, muscovite, and plagioclase.
Which rock is referred as the mother rock?
Igneous rocks are considered the “Mother” of all rocks. Molten material cools down and becomes either a volcanic or plutonic igneous rocks.
How sedimentary rocks are formed?
Clastic sedimentary rocks are made up of pieces (clasts) of pre-existing rocks. Pieces of rock are loosened by weathering, then transported to some basin or depression where sediment is trapped. If the sediment is buried deeply, it becomes compacted and cemented, forming sedimentary rock.
What is the difference between felsic and mafic based on their characteristics?
Mafic minerals are usually dark in color and have relatively high specific gravities (greater than 3.0). Felsic minerals are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3.0. Common felsic minerals include quartz, muscovite mica, and the orthoclase feldspars.
What does felsic describe?
In geology, felsic is an adjective describing igneous rocks that are relatively rich in elements that form feldspar and quartz. Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium.
What is the description of felsic?
How is felsic formed?
Felsic rocks are igneous rocks that are rich in feldspar and silicon. The word ‘felsic’ was made up from parts of those words. Because they are made of lighter elements, they tend to be more buoyant than mafic rocks, which are rocks high in magnesium and iron, like basalt. Granite is the most common felsic rock.