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Felsic refers to igneous rocks that are relatively high in silica and aluminum. Mafic refers to igneous rocks that are higher in magnesium and iron than felsic rocks.

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Which minerals are not present in felsic type igneous rocks but are present in mafic type igneous rocks?

Mafic igneous rocks typically contain minerals like olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole which are not commonly found in felsic igneous rocks. These minerals have higher concentrations of iron and magnesium and form at higher temperatures as compared to the minerals present in felsic rocks.


Why are mafic rocks denser than felsic rocks?

Mafic rocks have higher concentrations of dense minerals like iron and magnesium compared to felsic rocks, which are rich in lighter minerals like quartz and feldspar. This difference in mineral composition contributes to the higher density of mafic rocks.


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.


What is the mafic mineral and felsic mineral?

First of all there is no such thing as a mafic or a felsic "mineral". There can be mafic and felsic rocks.Mafic rocks have a high magnesium and iron content.Felsic rocks enriched with lighter elements such as oxygen and silicon.


Mafic mineral low or high density?

Mafic minerals generally have a relatively high density compared to felsic minerals. This is because mafic minerals are rich in iron and magnesium, which are denser elements. As a result, rocks rich in mafic minerals like basalt and gabbro tend to be heavier and denser than rocks composed of felsic minerals like granite.


What minerals are found in mafic rocks?

mafic rocks can be made up of orthoclase feldspar and quartz


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 granite mafic?

No, granite is not considered mafic. It is an igneous rock that is classified as felsic due to its high silica content and lower concentration of iron and magnesium minerals compared to mafic rocks like basalt.


Is rock salt felsic or mafic?

Rock salt is neither felsic nor mafic. It is a type of sedimentary rock composed primarily of halite (or sodium chloride) minerals. Felsic and mafic are terms used to describe igneous rocks based on their silica content and mineral composition.


Is pegmatite felsic or mafic?

Pegmatite is classified as felsic due to its composition which is rich in silica and aluminum, containing minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and muscovite. Mafic rocks, on the other hand, have a higher content of iron and magnesium-rich minerals like pyroxene and olivine.


What mineral composition is most characteristic of felsic rocks?

Felsic rocks are typically composed of minerals such as quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase feldspar, and muscovite mica. These minerals are light in color and have lower densities compared to mafic rocks.


What are the characteristics of a felsic and mafic rocks?

Felsic rocks are light-colored, rich in silica and aluminum, and have high viscosity when molten. They contain minerals such as quartz and potassium feldspar. Mafic rocks are dark-colored, rich in magnesium and iron, have low viscosity when molten, and contain minerals like olivine and pyroxene.