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Felsic igneous rocks are typically light in color, ranging from white to pink or light gray, and have a lower density, generally around 2.5 to 2.7 g/cm³. In contrast, mafic igneous rocks are darker, often appearing black or dark green, and are denser, with densities ranging from about 2.8 to 3.3 g/cm³. This difference in color and density is primarily due to their mineral compositions, with felsic rocks containing higher amounts of silica and lighter minerals, while mafic rocks are rich in iron and magnesium.

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What are the terms felsic and mafic used by geologists to describe?

Geologists use the terms felsic and mafic to describe the compositions of igneous rocks. Felsic rocks are rich in silicon and aluminum, making them lighter in color and less dense. Mafic rocks are richer in magnesium and iron, making them darker in color and denser.


What is the difference between felsic intermediate and mafic igneous rocks?

Silica content increases from mafic to felsic, and Mg and Fe content decreases. These differences affect things such as viscosity, density and colour. Felsic magmas are the most viscous and least dense, and felsic rocks are the lightest in colour.


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.


Olivine and pyroxene are commonly found in igneous rocks that are?

Olivine and pyroxene are commonly found in igneous rocks that are mafic in composition. These minerals indicate that the rock formed from magma with a higher iron and magnesium content. Mafic igneous rocks tend to be dark in color and have higher densities compared to felsic 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.


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.


What is a Precambrian's shield?

How are mafic and felsic igneous rocks different


classificatio of igneous rock?

felsic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic.


Are all rocks either mafic or felsic?

No. First of all, the terms mafic and felsic generally only apply to igneous rock. even among igneous rocks, mafic and felsic are just ranges on a "spectrum" of composition. Other classifications and examples include ultramafic (peridotite), intermediate (andesite), and intermediate-felsic (dacite).


Is amphibolite mineral a felsic mafic or intermidate?

Is mineral amphibolite a felsic, mafic or intermidiate in term of color


What are at least 5 examples of mafic igneous rock?

Basalt, Scoria, Diabase, Basaltic Glass, Gabbro. Obsidian may appear to be mafic due to its dark color but it is actually felsic


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.