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Mafic minerals are often found near the bottom of a pluton and felsic minerals near the top what process is this because of?
The process is painful love. When the mafic minerals fall in love with the felsic minerals they fall to the bottom. The felsic is often there too and sees the minerals falling toward them so they scared to be in love again and go to the top. This makes the mafic mad and it stays there. The felsic is afraid to go back and stays on the top. :(
<333 love hurts
If I remember my geology, plutons are considered intrusions, and reflect the mineral composition of the magma they were formed from. That being said, what minerals are present in a pluton are directly a result of what they were made from, and the minerals condense out following Bowen's Reaction series. This means mafic minerals condense out at a higher temp and higher pressure, so as the pluton continues to intrude, it cools and depressurizes. Thus minerals lower in the reaction series cool and crystallize before the felsic minerals towards the top. You can also find contact metamorphic rocks on the edges of plutons. Some of these may wrongfully appear to be mafic rocks like Olivine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowen's_reaction_series
What else can I help you with?
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.
Is quartz felsic?
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.
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.
Do felsic rocks crystallize at lower temperatures?
Yes, felsic rocks crystallize at lower temperatures compared to mafic rocks. This is because felsic rocks have higher silica content, leading to the formation of minerals like quartz and potassium feldspar that require lower temperatures to crystallize.
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.
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.
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 present in felsic rocks and mafic 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.
Which pair of minerals is most likely to be found in felsic rock?
Quartz and feldspar are the most likely pair of minerals found in felsic rock. Felsic rocks are rich in silica, which forms minerals like quartz, and feldspar is another common mineral found in these rocks.
Is quartz felsic?
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.
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.
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.
Do felsic rocks crystallize at lower temperatures?
Yes, felsic rocks crystallize at lower temperatures compared to mafic rocks. This is because felsic rocks have higher silica content, leading to the formation of minerals like quartz and potassium feldspar that require lower temperatures to crystallize.
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.
Is Muscovite Mica mafic or felsic?
Muscovite mica is classified as a felsic mineral. It is a member of the mica group and is primarily composed of silicate minerals, which are characteristic of felsic rocks. Felsic rocks, such as granite, typically contain a higher concentration of silica and aluminum, which aligns with the composition of muscovite. In contrast, mafic minerals are richer in iron and magnesium, which muscovite lacks.
What rocks are felsic?
Granite, rhyolite, and pegmatite are examples of felsic rocks. These rocks are light in color and have high silica content, making them rich in minerals like quartz and feldspar. Felsic rocks are associated with continental crust and are often found in areas with volcanic activity.
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.
