Mafic lava is less viscous(runnier) than felsic lava due to a lower silica content. This causes non-violent eruptions such as in the Hawaiian Islands. Mafic lava tends to be associated more with interplate volcanism and mid-ocean ridges and produces the rock type known as basalt. (The ocean floor is made of basalt.) Felsic lava is mainly found at convergent zones (areas of colliding plates) and has a high silica and water content which causes the lava to be highly viscous and causes very violent eruptions. This lava produces rhyolite and andesitic rocks.
The color of the rocks formed by magmas is a consequence of its composition, mafic magmas are dark colored (Mg-Fe) and felsic magmas are light colored (Feldspars-Si).
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.
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.
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.
Pyroclastic flows can be of any composition, but are more commonly felsic or intermediate.
Yes, quartz is felsic. Felsic minerals are rich in silica (SiO2) and aluminum (Al2O3), which are primary components of quartz. Quartz is commonly found in felsic igneous rocks such as granite and rhyolite.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monzonite is an intermediate rock.
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.
Rhyolite has a more felsic composition than basalt.
Rhyolite is not a mafic rock, but a felsic rock, high in silicates, and similar to granite in composition.
Pyroclastic flows can be of any composition, but are more commonly felsic or intermediate.
Yes. Felsic is a term used to describe the composition of some igneous rocks.
Felsic rocks are primarily composed of minerals like quartz, feldspar, and muscovite, while mafic rocks contain minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. Felsic rocks have lighter-colored minerals and lower density compared to mafic rocks, which have darker-colored minerals and higher density.