Would you like to write for us? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Because of these high temperatures, the viscosity is usually low as compared with felsic lava. It is also known to be a mnemonic, combining (fe) for feldspar, (l) for lenad or feldspathoid, and (s) for silica. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Mafic lavas crystallize to form basalt, which is also dark in color. Due to the color of the minerals forming them, the rocks are either light or dark. This is the main reason for the low density of felsic rocks. These cookies do not store any personal information. nadineklein. The mafic lava usually has a low viscosity and is running. But felsic rocks are light-coloured and have a smooth surface. Mafic magma is less viscous than felsic magma. tennisqueena. Thus, non-explosive eruptions are generally associated with mafic or basalt rock. Since igneous rocks are characterised by silica content in them, mafic is the one with less silica content (approx. Felsic rocks are light in color. Mafic is the acronym for magnesium and ferric (Latin for Iron) because this igneous rock is rich in these two minerals. basalt gabbro diorite granite. Learn more about the Mafic vs. Felsic geological classification through this ScienceStruck article. ANSWER: Correct Correct! A mafic rock like basalt generally has tales to tell of life in the mantle, while for a felsic rock like granite, whose progenitors were themselves crustal, the mantle is a nearly forgotten ancestral homeland." Elord19. Obsidian is commonly a translucent dark brown or black. Common mafic rocks include basalt and gabbro. The low density of these rocks is due to the low content of silica present in them. This is per the fact that these lavas erupt at a high temperature. Is the mantle mafic or felsic? Felsic. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Which of these minerals is commonly found in both mafic and felsic rocks? Index Igneous rock concepts Reference Lutgens & Tarbuck Ch 3 Bjornerud Ch 2 Igneous Rocks. The low-strain zone is within a 50–100 m wide panel of felsic and mafic schists (samples G05/28, -29; Table 20.1) that can be followed north–south for >1 km. Felsic magma or lava is higher in viscosity than mafic magma/lava. Mafic and felsic are the terms used to describe the silica content of igneous rocks formed on the cooling of lava. Mafic lava creates basalt while felsic lava produces andesitic and rhyolite rocks. The color of obsidian depends on the chemical composition of … However, the viscosity of the magma also decides if the eruption will be explosive. But they have low viscosity and high density due to the high temperature of the lava. On the contrary, a viscous magma will hinder the upward mobility of the gas bubbles, increasing the pressure on the magma chamber. Mafic rocks are obtained from mostly the sea bed volcanoes whereas felsic rocks are obtained from the cooling of lavas from the convergent zones. On the other hand, Felsic has much higher levels of silica. PORPHYRITIC TEXTURE - an igneous roc… BASALT Basalt is an extrusive mafic volcanic rock. Mafic magmas are usually produced at spreading centers, and represent material which is newly differentiated from the upper mantle. Mafic and felsic are not commonly used terms, as one may observe. Porphyritic Basalt. Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. Intrusive Intrusive igneous rocks are formed from magma that cools and solidifies within the crust of a planet, surrounded by way of pre-present rock (called us of a rock); the magma cools slowly and, as a result, these rocks are coarse-grained. 5. Graphite is found to have 70% of silica. On the other hand, Felsic has much higher levels of silica. mafic. 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. To set some ground rules: All of these are igneous rocks. While the former is created in high-temperature lava that leads to extremely low viscosity, the latter has a high viscosity. Rock that contains greater than 75% ash is considered tuff, while rock containing 25% to 75% ash is described as tuffaceous.. Tuff is a relatively soft rock, so it has been used for construction since ancient times. Most mafic minerals are dark in color, and common rock-forming mafic minerals include olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite. Igneous rocks consist of primarily 12 types of oxides. This article will show you how to calculate percent difference in a simple, step-by-step method. 2. determine color/composition: mostly light minerals = felsic; half light, half black (or gray in fine grained rocks) = intermediate; mostly black minerals = mafic; mostly olivine = ultramafic The classification is done based on their silica content, as silica is usually the most abundant of all the oxides present. That is not explosive or violent. 5.Either in describing rocks or lava, mafic means that the lava or rock has less silica while felsic implies that the lava or rock has the most silica. Mafic rocks are rich in the heavy minerals, iron and magnesium. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. It is of, relating to, or denoting a group of light-colored minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoids, quartz, and muscovite. Igneous rocks, characterized by their silica content can be put in two categories: mafic and felsic (other two categories being ultramafic and intermediate). Mafic has low levels of silica. The bases of … They are mostly found in specific geographic areas known as convergent zones, where the geologic plates collide. We hope you are enjoying ScienceStruck! Which of the following igneous rocks crystallizes near the Earth's surface? Igneous Rock (textures) 13 Terms. The lavas that are cooled to form these rocks are also different, in terms of their viscosity. Olivine, amphibole, pyroxine, and biotite. It generally results into the geological formations of lava spines or domes. c. volcanoes lie on continental margins inland of subduction zones. Common mafic rocks include basalt and gabbro. The felsic lava is usually found at 650-750˚ C and is can cause explosive volcanic eruptions. Felsic rocks are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3. 2. felsic vs. mafic 20 Terms. The process of bubble formation is known as vesiculation. This gives these rocks their characteristic dark green or greenish-black colour. Crystalline Vs. Amorphous Solids - What's the Difference? Basalt is a well-known example of a mafic rock. Crystalline and amorphous are two basic sub-types of solids, which may look similar on the outside, but are actually vastly different from the inside. Mafic and felsic, are both igneous rocks formed on the cooling of lava from the volcanic eruptions. Basalt, one of the common examples of Mafic rock has only 50% silica content. A few years ago we as a company were searching for various terms and wanted to know the differences between them. Calculating the percent difference between two given values is quite an easy task. This is since their origin is mostly the sea bed, that is not abundant in silica. The mafic lava usually has a low viscosity and is running. Graphite is found to have 70% of silica. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Porphyritic Andesite. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This rock would have a relatively high silica content. Mafic rocks are dark in color. Composition of Igneous Rock. The words mafic and felsic are used most often in the context of igneous rocks. It is commonly erupted as passive lava flows due to its low viscosity (resulting from high magmatic temperatures and low silica contents). We've learned from on-the-ground experience about these terms specially the product comparisons. The difference between Mafic and Felsic rocks are the silica content present. Felsic is also rich in low-density minerals like oxygen, sodium and potassium. Amperage Vs. Voltage - What is the Difference. Volcanic magma with extreme temperatures constitutes dissolved gases. Igneous rocks 20 Terms. The temperatures are around 650°C to 750°C. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this rule; when degassed felsic lava erupts at the surface, it is non-explosive, and some hydro-volcanic eruptions with mafic magma are explosive. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The bubbles frozen in the rocks are called vesicles. Granite and rhyolite are considered felsic, while basalt and gabbro are mafic (click here for more information on mafic and felsic). Silica content in Mafic rocks is around 50% by weight. Quartz, muscovite mica, orthoclase and sodium-rich plagioclase feldspars. Their characteristics are medium to coarse-grained. Mafic rocks have between 45 and 55% of silica, whereas felsic rocks have over 65% of silica, the highest of all types. In simple terms, gabbro is just the cooled magma chamber … The minerals present in the two is also the reason due to which there is a contrasting difference in their characteristic appearance. Either in describing rocks or lava, mafic means that the lava or rock has less silica while felsic implies that the lava or rock has the most silica. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We write on the topics: Food, Technology, Business, Pets, Travel, Finance, and Science”. Intermediate and felsic magmas usually arise where: a. plates diverge as spreading ridges form. There is a contrasting difference even in the appearance of the two igneous rocks; one being dark shaded and the other having light shade. felsic: glass (may contain a few minerals typical of felsic rocks) pumice: mafic: glass (may contain a few mineral typical of mafic rocks) scoria: Note: Basalt with fewer holes, known as vesicles, is called vesicular basalt. The characteristic difference between mafic and felsic is the silica content present in the two rocks. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For a quick summary, the disparity between them is obvious in their levels of viscosity. Felsic magma, on cooling, forms feldspar and quartz. The silica level of mafic rocks is 45-55%, which is because they are originated in volcanoes present at the sea bed. Volcanic rocks are the primary formations studied in order to reveal new geological facts. Hint 1. Difference Between Mafic and Felsic (With Table). The few that know the existence of these words are mainly geologists or ones related to that field of study. b. volcanoes lie above transform faults. Classification of rocks, minerals, and magma based on the silica content present in them defines them as either mafic or felsic. An observational evaluation of the composition of an igneous rock … In the low-strain zone the graded units show transitions from felsic to mafic and are up to 0.5 m thick (Fig. The word Mafic comes from (ma) for magnesium and (f) for ferrum or the Latin for iron. This volcanic field in Saudi Arabia illustrates nicely the contrast between the light-colored felsic and dark-colored mafic rock. They are also contrastingly different in colour: Mafic being dark shades of green while Felsic is usually lightly shaded rocks. When these gases are released, bubbles are formed. Copyright © Science Struck & Buzzle.com, Inc. Thus, they were categorised into four types: ultramafic, mafic, intermediate and felsic, in their increasing order of silica content present. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Igneous Rock Texture & Process 8 Terms. Vesicular Basalt. Although there are complete … The mineral grains in such rocks can generally be recognized with the bare eye. Common mafic rocks include basalt, dolerite, and gabbro. Graphite is a well-known example of felsic rocks. Most felsic lavas have high viscosity. A mafic mineral or rock is a silicate mineral or igneous rock rich in magnesium and iron. PHANERITIC TEXTURE - Igneous rocks with large, visible crystals because therock formed slowly in an underground magma chamber. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-earthscience/chapter/igneous-rocks Basalt, one of the common examples of Mafic rock has only 50% silica content. mafic. Mafic’s new Shelby NC location is set to be the largest Basalt Fiber Production Facility in the World Basalt, with low-viscosity magma, provides an easy escape of the gases to the surface. Heat would destroy them. Part C An igneous rock that contains quartz and potassium feldspar would have a mineralogic content placing it in the range of _____. The classification based on mineralogy, into mafic and felsic, is accepted as the primary scheme of classification for rocks. The increasing pressure with depth causes the granite to start melting at lower temperatures but causes the basalt MPs to rise. Whereas, felsic rocks have high viscosity. Porphyritic Granite. Thus, these rocks have low density unlike mafic rock, which have high density are heavy. youfancyyhuh. Mafic lava leads to weaker volcanic eruptions. The volcanoes are not explosive or as violent as the ones erupting from felsic lava. Common mafic rocks include basalt, dolerite, and gabbro. The most common examples of rocks classified as Mafic are gabbro, dolerite, and basalt. Ask Any Difference is a website that is owned and operated by Indragni Solutions. Compilations of many rock analyses show that rhyolite and granite are felsic, with an average silica content of about 72 percent; syenite, diorite, and monzonite are intermediate, with an average silica content of 59 percent; gabbro and basalt are mafic, with an average silica content of 48 percent; and peridotite is an ultramafic rock, with an average of 41 percent silica. What is the approximate silica content of a granite? Mafic rocks are dark green or greenish-black in colour and are also medium to coarse-grained. It has a higher composition of silica, aluminum, potassium, sodium, and calcium. Discover the activities, projects, and degrees that will fuel your love of science. This, in turn, would lead to rapid explosive ejection of the gas bubbles. Basalt Mafic is an adjective describing a silicate mineral or igneous rock that is rich in magnesium and iron, and is thus a portmanteau of magnesium and ferric. mafic rocks are more viscous than felsic rocks mafic rocks tend to be lighter in color than felsic rocks. 20% 50% 70% 100%. 45-55%) while felsic is the one with a greater silica content (approx.70-90%). quartz alkali feldspar plagioclase feldspar olivine With very high iron and magnesium content, mafic lava can be extremely hot, around 950°C or more. The lavas that are cooled to form these rocks are also different, in terms of their viscosity. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024493704002014, https://mingtang.me/publications/Tang%20et%20al_Science%202016.pdf, Comparison Table Between Mafic and Felsic, Main Differences Between Mafic and Felsic, Difference Between Lucifer and Satan (With Table), Difference Between Parrot and Macaw (With Table), Difference Between McAfee LiveSafe and Total Protection (With Table), Difference Between HCPCS and CPT (With Table), Difference Between Catholic and Lutheran (With Table), Difference Between Articles of Confederation and Constitution (With Table), Difference Between Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication (With Table), Low viscosity due to the high temperature of lava. Of felsic rocks amphibole, and Science ” lava, the lava ( magma! Cooling, forms feldspar and quartz forming them, the disparity between them who want to the... 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