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Rock types of the tholeiitic magma series include tholeiitic basalt, ferro-basalt, tholeiitic basaltic andesite, tholeiitic andesite, dacite and rhyolite. The variety of basalt in the series was originally called tholeiite but the International Union of Geological Sciences recommends that tholeiitic basalt be used in preference to that term. [1]
Andesite (/ ˈ æ n d ə z aɪ t /) [1] is a volcanic rock of intermediate composition. In a general sense, it is the intermediate type between silica -poor basalt and silica-rich rhyolite . It is fine-grained ( aphanitic ) to porphyritic in texture, and is composed predominantly of sodium-rich plagioclase plus pyroxene or hornblende .
Dacite (/ ˈ d eɪ s aɪ t /) 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 to porphyritic texture and is intermediate in composition between andesite and rhyolite. It is composed predominantly of plagioclase feldspar and quartz.
A sample of andesite (dark groundmass) with amygdaloidal vesicles filled with zeolite. Diameter of view is 8 cm. Adakite – Volcanic rock type; Andesite – Type of volcanic rock; Alkali feldspar granite – Type of igneous rock rich in alkali feldspar; Anorthosite – Mafic intrusive igneous rock composed predominantly of plagioclase
Basalt is a very common volcanic rock with low silica content. 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]
Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock, formed from magma rich in silica that is extruded from a volcanic vent to cool quickly on the surface rather than slowly in the subsurface. It is generally light in color due to its low content of mafic minerals, and it is typically very fine-grained ( aphanitic ) or glassy .
These rocks (granite, rhyolite) are usually light coloured, and have a relatively low density. Intermediate rocks have a moderate content of silica, and are predominantly composed of feldspars. These rocks (diorite, andesite) are typically darker in colour than felsic rocks and somewhat more dense.
When extrusive rocks make contact with the atmosphere they cool quickly, so the minerals do not have time to form large crystals. The individual crystals in an aphanitic igneous rock are not distinguishable to the naked eye. Examples of aphanitic igneous rock include basalt, andesite, and rhyolite.