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How do mafic igneous rocks compare to felsic igneous rocks?
The difference between Mafic and Felsic rocks are the silica content present. Since igneous rocks are characterised by silica content in them, mafic is the one with less silica content (approx. 45-55%) while felsic is the one with a greater silica content (approx. 70-90%).
Are felsic igneous rocks rich in silica?
Felsic magma or lava is higher in viscosity than mafic magma/lava. Felsic rocks are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3….Classification of felsic rocks.
| Rock texture | Name of felsic rock |
|---|---|
| Coarse-grained (phaneritic) | Granite |
| Coarse-grained and porphyritic | Porphyritic granite |
What rock has the highest silica content?
Felsic rocks have the highest content of silica, and are predominantly composed of the felsic minerals quartz and feldspar. These rocks (granite, rhyolite) are usually light coloured, and have a relatively low density.
What is difference between felsic and mafic?
Mafic minerals are usually dark in color and have relatively high specific gravities (greater than 3.0). Felsic minerals are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3.0. Common felsic minerals include quartz, muscovite mica, and the orthoclase feldspars.
What is the similarities of felsic and intermediate?
Felsic rocks are commonly oversaturated and contain free quartz (SiO 2), intermediate rocks contain little or no quartz or feldspathoids (undersaturated minerals), and mafic rocks may contain abundant feldspathoids. 2-B1-2), are similar to active continental margin granitoids.
What is the difference between mafic and felsic minerals?
Where are felsic rocks found?
crust
Felsic magma usually originates in the crust or by the shedding of mafic minerals as magma rises through the crust.
Does felsic have high silica?
In a widely accepted silica-content classification scheme, rocks with more than 65 percent silica are called felsic; those with between 55 and 65 percent silica are intermediate; those with between 45 and 55 percent silica are mafic; and those with less than 45 percent are ultramafic.
Why are mafic rocks dense than felsic?
Mafic vs Felsic Thus, rocks having more than 65% of silica are Felsic while those having 45-55% of silica are classified as Mafic rocks. Mafic rocks are rich in iron and magnesium, whereas Felsic rocks are rich in silica and aluminum. Mafic rocks are denser and heavier than Felsic rocks.
What’s the difference between mafic and felsic igneous rocks?
Felsic is a term that is made up of the names of Feldspar and silica. Feldspar is a mineral that contains a high percentage of silica and aluminum. These are igneous rocks that have a lower density than mafic rocks and are also lighter in color. It is not just silica and aluminum,…
What’s the difference between felsic and ultramafic rocks?
Therefore, rocks are divided into ultramafic, mafic, intermediate, and felsic. This is an order showing increased silica content. Mafic rocks have between 45 and 55% of silica, whereas felsic rocks have over 65% of silica, the highest of all types.
Which is the best example of a felsic rock?
Granite is a great example of Felsic rocks and muscovite, quartz, and some feldspar are the best examples of Felsic minerals. All Felsic rocks contain a high percentage of silica. For example, granite contains around 70% of silica. • Mafic and Felsic are categories into which igneous rocks are classified.
What’s the difference between feldspar and mafic rocks?
Feldspar is a mineral that contains a high percentage of silica and aluminum. These are igneous rocks that have a lower density than mafic rocks and are also lighter in color. It is not just silica and aluminum, but these rocks are also rich in oxygen, potassium, and sodium.