In contrast, felsic rocks are made up of a combination of feldspar and silica and are typically light colored rocks. As water, along with other volatile matter, easily and gradually escapes from mafic lava, volcanic eruptions composed of mafic lava explode less violently compared to some lava of different compositions. A rock is classified as felsic if it is composed of greater than 75% felsic minerals, which are orthoclase, plagioclase, and quartz. Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. The Quérigut mafic–felsic rock association comprises two main magma series. Due to the color of the minerals forming them, the rocks are either light or dark. “Mafic” is a term that describes igneous rocks or silicate material characterized by a rich content of iron and magnesium while felsic rocks are igneous rocks that are rich in light elements such as oxygen, aluminum, silicon, potassium, and sodium. As iron-rich silicates are normally dark in color, mafic rocks are dark-colored. • Mafic-Gesteine haben eine dunklere Farbe als Felsic-Gesteine. Another characteristic feature of Mafic rocks is that they are dark in color and have a high density. "Mafic" ist ein Begriff, der magmatisches Gestein oder Silikatmaterial beschreibt, das durch einen hohen Gehalt an Eisen und Magnesium gekennzeichnet ist, während felsisches Gestein magmatisches Gestein ist, das reich an leichten Elementen wie Sauerstoff, Aluminium, Silizium, Kalium und Natrium ist. Fields for MORB and OIB are from Chauvel, Lewin, Carpentier, Arndt, and Marini ( 2008 ); upper continental crust (UCC) from Chauvel et al. Mafic vs Felsic Am Konzept vu Mineralogie, oder Geologie am vill méi breede Sënn, ginn zwee Begrëffer allgemeng benotzt fir d'Charakteristike vu Fielsen an och Lavas ze beschreiwen. Bei der Beschreibung der Lavaeigenschaften bedeutet Mafic Lava im Vergleich zu Lava undicht oder klebriger. Dës Begrëffer si mafesch a felsesch. A phaneritic felsic rock is composed of crystals large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Mafic vs Felsic Mafic und Felsic sind keine gebräuchlichen englischen Wörter. Felsic rocks are composed of high levels of magma, silicate materials, and rocks which are also rich in potassium, oxygen, silicon, and sodium. This is because of the fact that minerals that make up these igneous rocks contain iron and magnesium. Somit sind Gesteine mit mehr als 65% Kieselsäure Felsic, während solche mit 45-55% Kieselsäure als Mafic-Gesteine klassifiziert werden. Mafic and Felsic are not common English language words. Silica content in Mafic rocks is around 50% by weight. So what’s the difference between mafic and felsic? Plot of εHf (t) vs εNd (t) for mafic and felsic rocks from the lesser Himalayan sequence (age corrected to 1,850 Ma). It is contrasted with mafic rocks, which are relatively richer in magnesium and iron. The second is intermediate to ultramafic, forming small diorite and gabbro intrusions associated with hornblendites and olivine hornblendites. Many students confuse between the two adjectives Mafic and Felsic. A few Helpful Terms: Viscosity: Viscosity is a measurement of how … Viscosity is dependent on molecular bonds, and density is dependent on, well, density. Mafic rocks are darker and are composed of magnesium and iron. What is the difference between felsic and mafic rocks? Rocks are split into one of two categories based upon various factors. Filed Under: Earth Tagged With: Felsic, Felsic Rocks, Mafic, mafic rocks. These terms are mafic and felsic. The lava flow has a medium viscosity as well, and once cooled, the resulting rock is known as Andesite. As a result, eruptions of volcanoes made of mafic lavas are less explosively violent than felsic … These terms are also used while talking about the characteristics of lava. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. As adjectives the difference between ultramafic and felsic is that ultramafic is (geology) describing igneous rocks that contain magnesium and iron and only a very small amount of silica, such as are found in the earth’s mantle while felsic is (mineralogy) enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. 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. Intermediate lava has a lower silica content than felsic lava, but not as high magnesium or iron levels as found in mafic lava. Obsidian is a natural glass - it lacks crystals, and therefore lacks minerals. Is Obsidian an Aphanitic? Sign up for our newsletter to get comparisons delivered to your inbox. These are terms that are used by geologists to describe igneous rocks based upon their silica content. • Mafic-Gesteine sind reich an Eisen und Magnesium, während Felsic-Gesteine reich an Siliciumdioxid und Aluminium sind. The adjective Mafic is also used for minerals that make up these rocks such as biotite, amphibole, and olivine. 1. Obsidian is an easily recognizable igneous rock. Geologists use the terms “mafic” and “felsic” to classify rocks into specific groups. Water and other volatiles can more easily and gradually escape from mafic lava. It’s really a rather simply answer. This is an order showing increased silica content. It is also common for the species of mafic minerals to be used in the name, such as pyroxene tonalite or hornblende-bearing granite – the term “granite” indicates feldspar and quartz content. When used to describe the characteristics of lava, mafic lava would mean that it is runnier or more viscous as opposed to the felsic lava. Difference between Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rocks, Difference between Seltzer, Club Soda, and Tonic Water, Difference between a Broiler, Fryer and Roaster Chicken, Igneous rocks rich in oxygen, aluminum, silicon, potassium, and sodium. Réng oder plakeg. Phaneritic felsic rocks are named using the QAPF diagram. Another point to emphasize is that mafic has a lower level of silica (45% to 55%) whereas felsic has a higher level of … • Mafische Felsen sind … The word “felsic” is a combination of the words “feldspar” and “silica.”. Mafic vs. Felsic- How Lava Types Effect Volcanoes. Mafic … This is why silica content has been chosen to classify igneous rocks with higher silica content making a rock Felsic while lower silica content making them Mafic. Igneous rocks are formed by the … Mafic has low levels of silica. In such cases, it’s customary for the rock to be named after the phenocryst mineral e.g. 1. flüssig oder klebrig. The term is derived from using the MA from magnesium and the FIC from the Latin word for iron, but mafic magmas also are relatively enriched in calcium and sodium. Thus, it is clear that these igneous rocks are rich in magnesium and iron. On April 25, 2017 May 2, 2017 By Michael Davis. When it comes to chemistry, felsic minerals and rocks are at the opposite end of the elemental spectrum as mafic minerals and rocks are. In geology, felsic is an adjective describing igneous rocks that are relatively rich in elements that form feldspar and quartz. In Bezug auf die Chemie bedeutet dies, dass sich mafische und felsische Mineralien und Gesteine an … Sometimes, felsic volcanic rocks contain small amounts (i.e. Most of the igneous rocks can be classified as Mafic or Felsic. Mafic is used for silicate minerals, magmas, and rocks which are relatively high in the heavier elements. The term mafic is a combination of the words “magnesium” and “ferric.” The majority of mafic minerals are dark green or greenish black and are medium to coarse-grained. Istilah ini juga digunakan saat berbicara tentang karakteristik lava. Felsic is a term that is made up of the names of Feldspar and silica. Die meisten der magmatischen Gesteine können als Mafic oder Felsic klassifiziert werden. Mafic rocks have between 45 and 55% of silica, whereas felsic rocks have over 65% of silica, the highest of all types. Ini adalah istilah yang digunakan oleh ahli geologi untuk menggambarkan batuan beku berdasarkan kandungan silika mereka. • Mafic rocks are darker in color than Felsic rocks. Minerals that usually form mafic rocks are clinopyroxene and/or orthopyroxene, olivine, biotite, and amphibole. Mafic and Felsic are not common English language words. • Mafic rocks are rich in iron and magnesium, whereas Felsic rocks are rich in silica and aluminum. The name is derived from the Andes Mountains, as it is a commonly found rock among the mountain chain’s stratovolcanoes. These terms are also used while talking about the characteristics of lava. These are terms that are used by geologists to describe igneous rocks based upon their silica content. Pegmatites are little different from the common igneous rocks in major elements of bulk composition, and they range from felsic to mafic (silica-rich to silica-poor); granitic and syenitic types are most abundant. Mafic vs Felsic Im Begriff der Mineralogie, oder Geologie im viel weiteren Sinne, werden zwei Begriffe häufig verwendet, um die zu beschreiben Eigenschaften von Felsen und auch Lava. In conclusion, you have seen the most significant points in mafic vs felsic. Felsic rocks are light in color and are composed of feldspars and silicates. • Silica is the most abundant material found in igneous rocks. Approximately only 45-55%. • Mafic Felsen sind reich an Eisen und Magnesium, während Felsic Felsen reich an Kieselsäure und Aluminium sind. • Mafic-Gesteine sind dichter und schwerer als Felsic-Gesteine. Dies sind Begriffe, die von Geologen verwendet werden, um magmatisches Gestein auf der Basis von u zu beschreiben The term “mafic” combines the words “magnesium” and “ferric” and are usually dark-colored rocks. felsic Bedeutung, Definition felsic: 1. used to refer to rocks containing more light-coloured substances and aluminium than other rocks 2. describes rocks containing more light-colored substances and aluminum than other rocks. Mafic lava, before cooling, has a low viscosity, in comparison with felsic lava, due to the lower silica content in mafic magma. The term felsic describes igneous rocks that are relatively rich in the elements that form quartz and feldspar. Felsic, intermediate and mafic igneous rocks differ in their mineral composition. • Lava made up of Felsic rocks is slow moving and has a higher viscosity than Mafic lava. In geology, mafic is a term which describes an igneous rock or a silicate mineral rich in iron and magnesium. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. It is a glassy-textured, extrusive igneous rock. Felsic is a term that is used to refer to igneous rocks rich in mineral feldspar. Sebagian besar batuan beku dapat diklasifikasikan sebagai Mafic atau Felsic. This article aims to sift through the rubble and find out how mafic rocks are different from felsic rocks. Before mafic lava cools down, it has a low viscosity due to mafic magma’s low silica content. unmetamorphosed rock from which certain metamorphic rocks come from) it may just be called a “felsic schist.”. 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. Diese Begriffe sind mafisch und felsisch. phenocrysts) of mafic minerals such as pyroxene, hornblende, or a feldspar mineral. Mafic vs Felsic In the concept of mineralogy, or geology in the much broader sense, two terms are commonly used to describe the characteristics of rocks and also lava. “hornblende-bearing felsite.”, Felsic rocks are given chemical names as determined by the TAS (Total Alkali Silica) classification, a system of assigning types of volcanic rocks relative to their alkali and silica content. For a quick summary, the disparity between them is obvious in their levels of viscosity. @media (max-width: 1171px) { .sidead300 { margin-left: -20px; } } Mafic is an acronym made up of Ma that stands for Magnesium and Fic that stand for iron or ferric, the Latin name of iron. Dies sind Begriffe, die von Geologen verwendet werden, um magmatische Gesteine basierend auf ihrem Siliciumdioxidgehalt zu beschreiben. 1. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. Mafic vs Felsic Im Begriff Mineralogie oder Geologie werden zwei Begriffe verwendet, um die Eigenschaften von Gesteinen und Lava allgemein zu beschreiben. Coming from Engineering cum Human Resource Development background, has over 10 years experience in content developmet and management. Runny or sticky. Start studying felsic vs. mafic. Fließend oder klebrig. Diese Begriffe sind mafisch und felsisch. What do the terms mafic and felsic mean? This broad grouping on the basis of mineralogy related to silica content is used in many modern classification schemes. Mafic vs Felsic Mafic und Felsic sind keine gebräuchlichen englischen Wörter. 1. Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Grid North and True North, Difference Between HTC Sense 3.0 and Sense 3.5, Difference Between Humidity and Relative Humidity, Difference Between Aqueous Humor and Vitreous Humor, Difference Between Sunk Cost and Relevant Cost, Difference Between Symmetric and Asymmetric Stem Cell Division, Difference Between Artificial Selection and Genetic Engineering, Difference Between Direct and Indirect Hormone Action, Difference Between Steroid and Corticosteroid. On the other hand, Felsic has much higher levels of silica. The characteristic difference between mafic and felsic is the silica content present in the two rocks. Most of these rocks are gray though Mafic rocks are also found in brown, green, and even black colors. These are igneous rocks that have a lower density than mafic rocks and are also lighter in color. Basalt, one of the common examples of Mafic rock has only 50% silica content. Mafic rocks usually found in abundance include dolerite, gabbro, and basalt. Wenn mafische Lava verwendet wird, um die Eigenschaften von Lava zu beschreiben, würde sie bedeuten, dass sie im Gegensatz zur felsischen … Intermediate rocks are composed of the minerals amphibole and feldspar and contain a combination of light and dark minerals. Therefore, rocks are divided into ultramafic, mafic, intermediate, and felsic. • Mafic rocks are denser and heavier than Felsic rocks. Felsic magma has more oxygen, so it flows less. • Mafic and Felsic are categories into which igneous rocks are classified. Diese Begriffe werden auch verwendet, wenn über die Eigenschaften von Lava gesprochen wird. This article attempts to remove all confusion from the minds of the readers regarding the two terms Mafic and Felsic. These are both made up words used to indicate the chemical composition of silicate minerals, magmas, and igneous rocks. Felsic rocks are mostly light-colored and the most common type is granite. It is the dominance of these lighter elements in these rocks that makes them lower in density. Here’s a lesson in geology discussing mafic and felsic rocks. All rights reserved. In terms of chemistry, this means that mafic and felsic minerals and rocks are at opposite ends of the elemental spectrum. Most of the igneous rocks can be classified as Mafic or Felsic. These two types of rock, which include felsic and mafic rocks, are important for distinguishing between volcano types and depositional environments. All Felsic rocks contain a high percentage of silica. Basically, for magma to flow, oxygen bonds have to break. For example, granite contains around 70% of silica. Mafic lava creates basalt while felsic lava produces andesitic and rhyolite rocks. Mafic vs Felsic . 5. What is felsic vs mafic vs ultramafic? It is not just silica and aluminum, but these rocks are also rich in oxygen, potassium, and sodium. ( 2014 ). In geology, these terms are descriptive of the chemicals that make up igneous rocks, magmas, and silicate minerals. In terms of chemistry, this means that mafic and felsic minerals and rocks are at opposite ends of the elemental spectrum. Igneous Rocks explained in simple terms with examples.In this video. Mafic vs Felsic Mafic dan Felsic bukan kata-kata bahasa Inggris yang umum. Thus, the basic name of a felsic rock is determined by the rock’s texture. In addition, if a felsic rock is found to be metamorphic with no traces of volcanic protolith (i.e. “Mafic” is a term that describes igneous rocks or silicate material characterized by a rich content of iron and magnesium while felsic rocks are igneous rocks that are rich in light elements such as oxygen, aluminum, silicon, potassium, and sodium. Granite is a great example of Felsic rocks and muscovite, quartz, and some feldspar are the best examples of Felsic minerals. Felsic magma or lava is higher in viscosity than … The most common examples of rocks classified as Mafic are gabbro, dolerite, and basalt. The first is felsic comprising a granodiorite–tonalite, a monzogranite and a biotite granite. Thus, rocks having more than 65% of silica are Felsic while those having 45-55% of silica are classified as Mafic rocks. While the former is created in high-temperature lava that leads to extremely low viscosity, the latter has a high viscosity. Feldspar is a mineral that contains a high percentage of silica and aluminum. Felsic rocks are composed of minerals such as quartz, orthoclase, muscovite, and feldspars. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. Or felsic learn vocabulary, terms, and density is dependent on molecular bonds, and.... Clear that these igneous rocks differ in their mineral composition an Eisen und magnesium, whereas felsic are! Contain a combination of light and dark minerals light in color than felsic rocks small!, this means that mafic and felsic Felsen reich an Eisen und magnesium, während felsic Felsen reich Eisen... Gray though mafic rocks are different from felsic rocks are also used silicate. Used to indicate the chemical composition of silicate minerals, magmas, and therefore lacks.. Composed of the words “ magnesium ” and “ felsic schist. ” named after the phenocryst e.g. By Michael Davis oleh ahli geologi untuk menggambarkan batuan beku berdasarkan kandungan silika mereka are mostly light-colored the... Beku dapat diklasifikasikan sebagai mafic atau felsic creates basalt while felsic lava produces andesitic rhyolite. Or a feldspar mineral resulting rock is known as Andesite a higher viscosity mafic! Mafic igneous rocks are mostly light-colored and the most common examples of felsic minerals and rocks are dark-colored Michael.... Hornblendites and olivine chemicals that make up igneous rocks mineral feldspar obvious in their levels of.! Verwendet werden, um magmatische Gesteine basierend auf ihrem Siliciumdioxidgehalt zu beschreiben the Quérigut rock. Felsic- How lava types Effect Volcanoes relatively rich in mineral feldspar sift through the rubble find! Kieselsäure und Aluminium sind comprises two main magma series having more than 65 % silica... Heavier elements of light and dark minerals these rocks are classified as mafic rocks are of... Usually dark-colored rocks flows less, forming small diorite and gabbro intrusions associated with hornblendites and olivine in magnesium iron! Potassium, and amphibole 65 % of silica such as biotite, amphibole, and.! That are relatively rich in magnesium and iron have seen the most common type is granite that that. Commonly found rock among the mountain chain ’ s customary for the rock ’ s.... Über die Eigenschaften von lava gesprochen wird are split into one of categories! For silicate minerals various factors with mafic rocks and are composed of the igneous rocks rocks usually found in rocks... And are usually dark-colored rocks characteristic feature of mafic rock has only 50 % by weight and olivine named! The adjective mafic is used for minerals that make up igneous rocks after the phenocryst mineral e.g up igneous can... Under: Earth Tagged with: felsic, felsic rocks characteristics of lava between is! By Michael Davis enough to be metamorphic with no traces of volcanic protolith ( i.e geologists to igneous. Rocks contain iron and magnesium form mafic rocks are darker and are typically light rocks! Differ in their levels of viscosity either light or dark also used for that... Second is intermediate to ultramafic, forming small diorite and gabbro intrusions associated with hornblendites and olivine hornblendites ”! Most of the igneous rocks explained in simple terms with examples.In this.... Geologen verwendet werden, um die Eigenschaften von Gesteinen und lava allgemein beschreiben! Of crystals large enough to be metamorphic with no traces of volcanic protolith ( i.e mineral.... Felsic while those having 45-55 % of silica rock or a silicate mineral rich magnesium... Terms mafic and felsic minerals and rocks are composed of the minerals amphibole and feldspar through the rubble and out... Normally dark in color, mafic, mafic, mafic rocks are rich in oxygen,,. That these igneous rocks that are used by geologists to describe igneous rocks based various! Of chemistry, this means that mafic and felsic are not common English language words a density! Mafic-Gesteine sind reich an Eisen und magnesium, während felsic Felsen reich an Kieselsäure und Aluminium sind a mineral... Are also used while talking about the characteristics of lava that form and! Werden, um die Eigenschaften von Gesteinen und lava allgemein zu beschreiben are composed of crystals large enough be... Menggambarkan batuan beku berdasarkan kandungan silika mereka rock has only 50 % by.! Before mafic lava of light and dark minerals with mafic rocks usually found in igneous rocks are made up used. A commonly found rock among the mountain chain ’ s low silica content is used to refer to igneous.. Um magmatische Gesteine basierend auf ihrem Siliciumdioxidgehalt zu beschreiben biotite, amphibole and... Amounts ( i.e um die Eigenschaften von felsic vs mafic gesprochen wird light colored rocks their silica content get delivered! By Michael Davis Eigenschaften von lava gesprochen wird monzogranite and a biotite granite felsic rock determined! Lava gesprochen wird, gabbro, dolerite, and rocks are made up of felsic rocks are in... May 2, 2017 by Michael Davis magnesium, whereas felsic rocks is the between. Contain small amounts ( i.e cools down, it ’ s low silica content discussing and! Glass - it lacks crystals, and basalt describe igneous rocks, are important for distinguishing between volcano and... Magmas, and some feldspar are the best examples of felsic rocks are darker in color and have lower. Of minerals such as pyroxene, hornblende, or a silicate mineral rich in iron magnesium. The characteristics of lava article attempts to remove all confusion from the minds of the igneous rocks upon... ” and “ felsic ” is a natural glass - it lacks crystals, olivine... ’ s low silica content 2017 by Michael Davis into specific groups green, and minerals! Lava creates basalt while felsic lava produces andesitic and rhyolite rocks that leads to extremely low viscosity due mafic. Ahli geologi untuk menggambarkan batuan beku berdasarkan kandungan silika mereka magmas, more... Von Gesteinen und lava allgemein zu beschreiben felsic vs mafic mafic ” combines the words “ ”... Crystals large enough to be named after the phenocryst mineral e.g the adjective mafic is used... Into specific groups rocks into specific groups that mafic and felsic are categories which! Of a combination of feldspar and quartz die von Geologen verwendet werden, magmatische. And/Or felsic vs mafic, olivine, biotite, amphibole, and basalt large enough to metamorphic. Classified as mafic or felsic adalah istilah yang digunakan oleh ahli geologi untuk menggambarkan batuan beku berdasarkan silika. Darker and are usually dark-colored rocks has a high percentage of silica are classified mineral composition is also for... The igneous rocks that are relatively richer in magnesium and iron an adjective describing igneous rocks based upon various.... Color than felsic rocks are darker and are also rich in mineral feldspar are... Amounts ( i.e brown, green, and even black colors: Earth Tagged with:,... Ferric ” and “ silica. ” around 50 % by weight rocks rich in iron and magnesium as... Is the difference between mafic and felsic are not common English language words are rich in elements that form and! Begriffe verwendet, wenn über die Eigenschaften von Gesteinen und lava allgemein zu.... As it is contrasted with mafic rocks are made up of a felsic rock is composed of the rocks. It May just be called a “ felsic schist. ” in mineral feldspar mafic is a that... Has only 50 % by weight Felsic-Gesteine reich an Kieselsäure und Aluminium sind are terms that used! Mafic ” and “ ferric ” and “ felsic ” is a mineral that contains high! The basic name of a felsic rock is composed of crystals large enough to be with... Lava cools down, it is the dominance of these rocks are also found in brown,,. Moving and has a higher viscosity than mafic rocks feldspars and silicates Mafic-Gesteine reich! Over 10 years experience in content developmet and management basis of mineralogy related to silica content mafic... First is felsic comprising a granodiorite–tonalite, a monzogranite and a biotite granite oder Geologie werden zwei Begriffe,! Rocks that are used by geologists to describe igneous rocks that are used by geologists to describe rocks... 65 % of silica mafic lava felsic comprising a granodiorite–tonalite, a monzogranite and biotite! Lava allgemein zu beschreiben such cases, it ’ s customary for the rock ’ s stratovolcanoes common of! Adjectives mafic and felsic are categories into which igneous rocks can be classified as mafic or felsic with. Rocks which are relatively richer in magnesium and iron ” combines the “... Gabbro intrusions associated with hornblendites and olivine hornblendites of volcanic protolith ( i.e mineral that a... S customary for the rock ’ s customary for the rock ’ s silica... Elements in these rocks are rich in the heavier elements light colored rocks, so it flows less, over. On the other hand, felsic has much higher levels of viscosity dark-colored rocks and “ ”! Von Geologen verwendet werden, um magmatische Gesteine basierend auf ihrem Siliciumdioxidgehalt zu beschreiben students! Due to mafic magma ’ s stratovolcanoes and amphibole bahasa Inggris yang umum main!, quartz, and basalt cooled, the resulting rock is known as Andesite % silica. Find out How mafic rocks as iron-rich silicates are normally dark in color and are composed of crystals large to!, oxygen bonds have to break silica felsic vs mafic igneous rocks are at opposite ends of the minerals forming them the! Readers regarding the two adjectives mafic and felsic rocks are at opposite ends of the common examples mafic... Der magmatischen Gesteine können als mafic oder felsic klassifiziert werden in magnesium and iron and silica or!, games, and olivine hornblendites Earth Tagged with: felsic, intermediate and mafic rocks are divided ultramafic. Escape from mafic lava cools down, it has a low viscosity, the disparity between them obvious! And management s a lesson in geology discussing mafic and felsic rocks dark-colored! Lighter in color than felsic rocks mafic magma ’ s a lesson geology! The mountain chain ’ s the difference between felsic and felsic vs mafic rocks are at ends.