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Rhyolite (/ ˈraɪ.əlaɪt / RY-ə-lyte) [1][2][3][4] is the most silica -rich of volcanic rocks. It is generally glassy or fine-grained (aphanitic) in texture, but may be porphyritic, containing larger mineral crystals (phenocrysts) in an otherwise fine-grained groundmass. The mineral assemblage is predominantly quartz, sanidine, and plagioclase.
Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. Felsic magma or lava is higher in viscosity than mafic magma/lava, and have low temperatures to keep the felsic minerals molten. Felsic rocks are usually light in color and have specific ...
Felsic or silicic magmas have a silica content greater than 63%. They include rhyolite and dacite magmas. With such a high silica content, these magmas are extremely viscous, ranging from 10 8 cP (10 5 Pa⋅s) for hot rhyolite magma at 1,200 °C (2,190 °F) to 10 11 cP (10 8 Pa⋅s) for cool rhyolite magma at 800 °C (1,470 °F). [21]
Acidic rock. Acidic rock or acid rock refers to the chemical composition of igneous rocks that has 63% wt% SiO 2 content. [1] Rocks described as acidic usually contain more than 20% of free quartz. [2] Typical acidic rocks are granite or rhyolite. The term is used in chemical classification of igneous rock based on the content of silica (SiO 2).
Felsic or silicic lavas have a silica content greater than 63%. They include rhyolite and dacite lavas. With such a high silica content, these lavas are extremely viscous, ranging from 10 8 cP (10 5 Pa⋅s) for hot rhyolite lava at 1,200 °C (2,190 °F) to 10 11 cP (10 8 Pa⋅s) for cool rhyolite lava at 800 °C (1,470 °F). [13]
Felsite is a very fine-grained volcanic rock that may or may not contain larger crystals. Felsite is a field term for a light-colored rock that typically requires petrographic examination or chemical analysis for more precise definition. Color is generally white through light gray, or red to tan and may include any color except dark gray, green ...
The mafic rocks also typically have a higher density than felsic rocks. The term roughly corresponds to the older basic rock class. [9] Mafic lava, before cooling, has a low viscosity, in comparison with felsic lava, due to the lower silica content in mafic magma. Water and other volatiles can more easily and gradually escape from mafic lava.
Rhyolite is a volcanic rock with high silica content. Rhyolite has silica content similar to that of granite while basalt is compositionally equal to gabbro. Intermediate volcanic rocks include andesite, dacite, trachyte, and latite. [citation needed] Pyroclastic rocks are the product of explosive volcanism. They are often felsic (high in