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Its made up of both. Oceanic crust is mostly mafic magma (basalt) and continental crust is mafic and felsic.
The lithosphere also contains the upper portion of the upper mantle which is mostly mafic.
The earths crust is 60% Si02 (silicates). Felsic rocks are much more silicate heavy than mafic. So one would assume that the crust is more felsic than mafic. That's just my conceptual thought process so don't take me on my word.
Then again, the lithosphere also contains the upper mantle which is heavily mafic. So maybe the lithosphere in total is more mafic?
Basically just typing thoughts down as they enter my brain.
Answer I know for certain- Lithosphere is mafic and felsic.
What else can I help you with?
Does continental lithosphere contain more mafic rocks than oceanic lithosphere?
No, oceanic lithosphere contains more mafic rocks compared to continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is mainly composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock, whereas continental lithosphere is composed of a variety of rock types, including granitic rocks which are more felsic in composition.
Is sandstone felsic or mafic?
Neither. The terms mafic and felsic refer to the composition of igneous rocks, which are dominated by silicate minerals. Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of carbonate minerals. The terms mafic and felsic do no apply to it.
Does rhyolite have a more mafic composition than basalt?
Rhyolite is not a mafic rock, but a felsic rock, high in silicates, and similar to granite in composition.
Is olivine mafic or felsic?
Olivine is a mafic mineral. It is most abundant in ultramafic rocks.
Is monzonite felsic or mafic?
Monzonite is an intermediate rock.
Does continental lithosphere contain more mafic rocks than oceanic lithosphere?
No, oceanic lithosphere contains more mafic rocks compared to continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is mainly composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock, whereas continental lithosphere is composed of a variety of rock types, including granitic rocks which are more felsic in composition.
Why are felsic rocks melted by mafic magmas but mafic rocks are not melted by felsic magmas?
Felsic rocks have a lower melting point than mafic rocks and felsic magma has a lower temperature. In other words, felsic magma is not hot enough to melt mafic rock while mafic magma is hot enough to melt felsic rock.
Is amphibolite mineral a felsic mafic or intermidate?
Is mineral amphibolite a felsic, mafic or intermidiate in term of color
Is the oceanic crust felsic or mafic?
Oceanic crust is mafic.
Is a limestone mafic?
No. The terms mafic and felsic apply to igneous rocks. Limestone is a sedimentary/biochemical rock and so cannot be said to be mafic, felsic, or intermediate.
Is sandstone felsic or mafic?
Neither. The terms mafic and felsic refer to the composition of igneous rocks, which are dominated by silicate minerals. Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of carbonate minerals. The terms mafic and felsic do no apply to it.
Does rhyolite have a more mafic composition than basalt?
Rhyolite is not a mafic rock, but a felsic rock, high in silicates, and similar to granite in composition.
Between mafic lava and felsic lava which flowsfaster?
Mafic lava is hotter than felsic lava and therefore flows faster.
What is the comaprison of felsic and mafic?
Felsic minerals are Silicon-rich; whereas Mafic ones are low in Silicon, but contain Iron and Magnesium.
Is quartz monzonite mafic or felsic?
Quartz monzonite ranges from intermediate to felsic.
Does the mantle have mafic or felsic in it?
The mantle is ultramafic.
What are the 2 kinds of rock?
Mafic and felsic.
