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Felsic magmas and lavas have lower temperatures of melting and solidification than mafic magmas and lavas. Felsic rocks are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3. The most common felsic rock is granite. Common felsic minerals include quartz, muscovite, orthoclase, and the sodium-rich plagioclase feldspars (albite-rich).
This rock is typically of extrusive origin, formed by compaction of fine volcanic ash, and may be found in association with obsidian and rhyolite. In some cases, it is sufficiently fine-grained for use in making stone tools. Its fine texture and felsic components allow for good knapped pieces, much like working chert, producing conchoidal fracture.
Rhyodacite – Volcanic rock rich in silica and low in alkali metal oxides – A felsic volcanic rock which is intermediate between a rhyolite and a dacite; Rhyolite – Igneous, volcanic rock, of felsic (silica-rich) composition Comendite – Hard, peralkaline igneous rock, a type of light blue grey rhyolite
Rocks with low color indices are felsic, and those with higher color indices are mafic, [6] although the exact thresholds used vary. This terminology conflicts with the definition [7] [8] of felsic and mafic rocks based on silica content. [6] For example, a rock composed entirely of pyroxene would contain about 50% silica. [6]
The oldest dated rocks formed on Earth, as an aggregate of minerals that have not been subsequently broken down by erosion or melted, are more than 4 billion years old, formed during the Hadean Eon of Earth's geological history, and mark the start of the Archean Eon, which is defined to start with the formation of the oldest intact rocks on Earth.
Archean felsic volcanic rocks are only preserved in Archean cratons. [8] A craton is an ancient stable continental block. [13] Also, a craton has survived from plate tectonics that pull apart, collide or tear continents. [13]
Felsic intrusions (3 P) R. ... Pages in category "Felsic rocks" The following 10 pages are in this category, out of 10 total. This list may not reflect recent changes. A.
The oldest felsic rocks that are currently exposed intruded pre-existing, even older, mafic crustal rock and crystallized well beneath the Earth's surface. Later, these rocks were thermally metamorphosed, intruded by additional felsic magma, and partially melted during Eoarchean thermal events occurred about 3.85 to 3.72 Ga and 3.66 to 3.59 Ga.