Granite is an intrusive, or plutonic, igneous rock, which means that it's formed when magma cools and hardens in spaces within the Earth's crust. Mafic: Derived from the words magnesium and ferric (Fe is the chemical symbol for iron) to describe an igneous rock having abundant dark-colored, magnesium- or iron-rich minerals such as biotite, pyroxene, or olivine. Read More on This Topic felsic and mafic rocks An error occurred trying to load this video. You'll also take a quiz to test your understanding. - Definition & Explanation, What is a Map Key/Legend? In modern usage, the term acid rock, although sometimes used as a synonym, normally now refers specifically to a high-silica-content (greater than 63% SiO2 by weight) volcanic rock, such as rhyolite. It erupts from volcanoes and cools too quickly to form large crystals. What results when carbonic acid reacts with potassium feldspar? Examples of intrusive igneous rocks are diabase, diorite, gabbro, granite, pegmatite, and peridotite. (See mafic to contrast.) Common felsic minerals include quartz, muscovite, hornblende, orthoclase, and the sodium rich plagioclase feldspars. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. The word 'feldspar' comes from German words meaning 'field rock.' Older, broader usage is now considered archaic. Mafic rocks have between 45 and 55% of silica, whereas felsic rocks have over 65% of silica, the highest of all types. The rock texture thus determines the basic name of a felsic rock. Forms high in Bowen's Reaction series: 1. Regional Metamorphism: Definition & Differences, Non-silicate Minerals: Chemical Classifications & Examples, Comparing Silicate & Non-silicate Minerals, Volcanic vs Plutonic Igneous Rocks: Definition and Differences, Lithification of Sediments: Definition & Processes, Basaltic Lava: Definition & Characteristics, Optical Properties of Minerals: Luster, Light Transmission, Color & Streak, Geological Faults: Definition, Causes & Types, Silicate Minerals: Chemical Classifications & Examples, Transform Fault: Definition & Characteristics, Unconformities in Geology: Definition & Types, Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry: Online Textbook Help, High School Physical Science: Homework Help Resource, Holt McDougal Physics: Online Textbook Help, High School Biology: Homework Help Resource, DSST Environmental Science: Study Guide & Test Prep, UExcel Microbiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, Prentice Hall Biology: Online Textbook Help, Holt Physical Science: Online Textbook Help, Holt McDougal Modern Biology: Online Textbook Help, AP Environmental Science: Help and Review. Other examples of felsic rocks include rhyolite, which is a felsic rock that, like granite, is rich in silicate minerals and is extrusive (it erupts from volcanoes and cools too quickly to form large crystals); obsidian, which is natural volcanic glass that you can find among rhyolite deposits; and pumice, which is a type of volcanic glass that is a hardened silicate foam, one that had to come from an extremely powerful eruption. A common mafic rock is basalt. Often the species of mafic minerals is included in the name, for instance, hornblende-bearing granite, pyroxene tonalite or augite megacrystic monzonite, because the term "granite" already assumes content with feldspar and quartz. It is a borrowing of Feldspat. Like more familiar kinds of glass, it's high in silica. This is an order showing increased silica content. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. The chemical name of a felsic rock is given according to the TAS classification of Le Maitre (1975). intermediate _____ is an example of an intermediate rock. Rocks with greater than 90% felsic minerals can also be called leucocratic, from the Greek words for white and dominance. The intrusion of large bodies of granite—batholiths—is usually part of the origin of a mountain range. Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rock material. succeed. 1. 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An example of a mafic rock is basalt, the black rock that forms from lava flows in places like Hawaii. However, rhyolite is extrusive. The explosive volcanic eruptions that produce rhyolite are also sources of obsidian. The name 'granite' refers to the grainy quality of the rock. Quiz & Worksheet - What Are Bronchial Tubes? Pumice is famous for being the rock that can sometimes float. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. Examples of texture are: the size of the mineral grains (crystals), holes or vesicles in the rock, or a mass of mineral grains or a bunch of smaller rocks melted or welded together. Typical felsic rocks are dacite and rhyolite. study Olivine/pyroxene/Calcic plagioclase rich 4. Gabbro is a mafic rock and has the same chemistry and mineralogy as basalt; diorite is an intermediate rock equivalent to andesite; and granite is a felsic rock equivalent to rhyolite. 2. This lesson is on mafic, which is on… Image: Basalt, Granite Biotite Hornblende, Rhyolite, Gabbro, and Diorite Felsic rocks are generally rich in silicon and aluminum and contain only small amounts of magnesium and iron. Felsic rocks are richer in K, Na, Al and Si, and, compared to mafic rocks, are … The chemical composition of igneous rock can be broken into four main types: felsic, intermediate, mafic and ultramafic. While non-geologists may look at a rock and just see a rock, geologists are likely thinking of one of the hundreds of descriptive terms they use to describe rocks. Rhyolite is a felsic rock that, like granite, is rich in silicate minerals. Many specimens are so full of bubbly vesicles that they are less dense than water. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. Mafic minerals are typically dark in color (black, brown, or dark green) and rich in iron and magnesium. 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