Menu Close

How is basalt and granite similar?

How is basalt and granite similar?

Basalt and granite are similar in the they are both igneous, silicate rocks and common on Earth. They also have numerous differences. Basalt is extrusive, mafic, and common throughout the Solar System whereas granite is intrusive, felsic, and common only on Earth.

What is the difference between basaltic and granitic magma?

Main Differences Between Basalt and Granite Basalt is darker colored and is composed of mafic. On the other hand, granite is light-colored and is composed of felsic. Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock that erupts onto the surface where they cool quickly to form small crystals.

How are granitic and basaltic lava and the rocks that they form different?

When granitic magma erupts from volcanoes it does so very explosively, indicating high gas content. The basaltic magma is generated in the mantle, then rises into the continental crust. But, because basaltic magma has a high density it may stop in the crust and crystallize, releasing heat into the surrounding crust.

Which is more viscous basaltic or granitic magma?

(c) basaltic magma = 50% silica. Thus granitic magmas are more viscous than basaltic magmas.

What’s the difference between igneous rocks that have granitic composition andesitic composition and basaltic composition?

Granitic igneous rocks are light-colored rocks of lower density than basaltic rocks. 2. Granitic magma is thick and stiff and contains lots of silica but lesser amounts of iron and magnesium. Andesitic igneous rocks have mineral compositions between those of basaltic and granitic rocks.

Is basalt denser than granite?

Basalt is significantly more dense (about 3 gm/cm 3) than granite (about 2.6 gm/cm 3). The asthenosphere is thought to be a more dense rock like peridotite .

What is the difference between Rhyolite and granite?

Rhyolite has a similar composition and appearance to granite. However, rhyolite forms as a result of a violent volcanic eruption, while granite forms when magma solidifies beneath the Earth’s surface.

Are granite and gabbro similar?

One such stone is gabbro, which looks almost like a darker, coarser version of diorite. Similar to granite in some ways — they are both coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rocks — the difference between granite and gabbro is that gabbro is much darker in color than granite.