Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Felsic. In geology, felsic is a modifier describing igneous rocks that are relatively rich in elements that form feldspar and quartz. [1] It is contrasted with mafic rocks, which are relatively richer in magnesium and iron. Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen ...
Zircon (/ ˈzɜːrkɒn, - kən /) [7][8][9] is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates and is a source of the metal zirconium. Its chemical name is zirconium (IV) silicate, and its corresponding chemical formula is Zr SiO 4. An empirical formula showing some of the range of substitution in zircon is (Zr 1–y, REE y) (SiO 4) 1–x (OH ...
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 ...
Feldspar. Feldspar (/ ˈfɛl (d) ˌspɑːr / FEL (D)-spar; sometimes spelled felspar) is a group of rock-forming aluminium tectosilicate minerals, also containing other cations such as sodium, calcium, potassium, or barium. [3] The most common members of the feldspar group are the plagioclase (sodium-calcium) feldspars and the alkali (potassium ...
Dacite (/ ˈdeɪsaɪt /) is a volcanic rock formed by rapid solidification of lava that is high in silica and low in alkali metal oxides. It has a fine-grained (aphanitic) to porphyritic texture and is intermediate in composition between andesite and rhyolite. It is composed predominantly of plagioclase feldspar and quartz.
Episyenite (or epi-syenite) is a term used in petrology to describe veins, pods, or lenses of rock originally rich in silicon dioxide (SiO 2) from which quartz has been severely depleted. [9] This is often accompanied by strong enrichment in potassium and rare earth elements, leaving the altered rock a distinctive brick red color, [10] or by ...
Igneous rock (igneous from Latin igneus 'fiery'), or magmatic rock, is one of the three main rock types, the others being sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. The magma can be derived from partial melts of existing rocks in either a planet 's mantle or crust.
Organic geochemistry, the study of the role of processes and compounds that are derived from living or once-living organisms. [13] Photogeochemistry is the study of light-induced chemical reactions that occur or may occur among natural components of the Earth's surface. [14]