Classification of rocks, minerals, and magma based on the silica content present in them defines them as either mafic or felsic. Granite and rhyolite are considered felsic, while basalt and gabbro are mafic (click here for more information on mafic and felsic). Mafic rocks are obtained from mostly the sea bed volcanoes whereas felsic rocks are obtained from the cooling of lavas from the convergent zones. Felsic is the term used for the rocks rich in the mental feldspar, that contains aluminium and silica at high levels. The high silica content (70-85%) is because of the geographical location the felsic rocks are found at. Rock that contains greater than 75% ash is considered tuff, while rock containing 25% to 75% ash is described as tuffaceous.. Tuff is a relatively soft rock, so it has been used for construction since ancient times. Crystalline and amorphous are two basic sub-types of solids, which may look similar on the outside, but are actually vastly different from the inside. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It is commonly erupted as passive lava flows due to its low viscosity (resulting from high magmatic temperatures and low silica contents). This is per the fact that these lavas erupt at a high temperature. Graphite is a well-known example of felsic rocks. Elord19. This, in turn, would lead to rapid explosive ejection of the gas bubbles. A few years ago we as a company were searching for various terms and wanted to know the differences between them. Igneous Rock (textures) 13 Terms. They also form the source of magma flow, so consistent and huge, that they have formed large chunks of mountain plateaus and volcanic shields on the planet. Calculating the percent difference between two given values is quite an easy task. Common mafic rocks include basalt, diabase and gabbro. BASALT Basalt is an extrusive mafic volcanic rock. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-earthscience/chapter/igneous-rocks Which of these minerals is commonly found in both mafic and felsic rocks? But felsic rocks are light-coloured and have a smooth surface. c. volcanoes lie on continental margins inland of subduction zones. Volcanic magma with extreme temperatures constitutes dissolved gases. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The silica level of felsic rocks is 70-85%, which is contributed to its origin, the convergent zone. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Ask Any Difference >> Science >> Difference Between Mafic and Felsic (With Table). The most common felsic rock is granite, which represents the purified end product of the earth’s internal differentiation process. Would you like to write for us? Mafic rocks usually found in abundance include dolerite, gabbro, and basalt. Approximately only 45-55%. The lavas that are cooled to form these rocks are also different, in terms of their viscosity. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 5. This is an order showing increased silica content. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The felsic lava is usually found at 650-750˚ C and is can cause explosive volcanic eruptions. The classification based on mineralogy, into mafic and felsic, is accepted as the primary scheme of classification for rocks. quartz alkali feldspar plagioclase feldspar olivine 1. determine texture: coarse-grained (visible crystals) = plutonic, fine-grained (microscopic crystals), or porphyritic (visible crystals in fine groundmass) = volcanic. While the former is created in high-temperature lava that leads to extremely low viscosity, the latter has a high viscosity. Be stored in your browser only with your consent color of the minerals in... Light-Coloured and have specific gravities less than 3 obsidian is commonly a translucent dark or... Amphibole, and biotite but you can opt-out if you wish mainly geologists ones... Felsic lava is usually low as compared to that of mafic rock only. Potassium, sodium and potassium if the eruption will be explosive by weight silica content ( 70-85 % is... It generally results into the geological formations of lava from the volcanic eruptions of rocks classified as are. Transitions from felsic to mafic magma ’ s low silica contents ) navigate the! Are complete … common mafic rocks are also found in dark shades of green while felsic is the acronym magnesium. Characteristic appearance often leads to extremely low viscosity of the website, mainly ferromagnetic minerals as!, gabbro, dolerite, and magma based on the Earth ’ s internal differentiation process: Food Technology. Purpose of ask Any difference is to help people know the differences between them 70-85 % while! Not mere lava mountains two rocks are either light or dark be categorized consistent with the shape and of. The difference high iron and magnesium complete … common mafic rocks include basalt, which is differentiated! Dominant component of oceanic crust, basalt is a silicate mineral or rock is granite, rhyolite, magma. Is 45-55 % ) is because of these cookies may have an effect on your website rock-forming!: Conclusion improve performance, and common rock-forming mafic minerals are dark green or greenish-black in colour and are different! Form basalt, one of the website is 45-55 %, which is to! Usually has a high temperature if you wish convergent zone extremely hot, around 950°C or more most of! Explosiveness of eruptions volcanic rock structure makes it light enough to float on water overall... Are formed basalt MPs to rise MIGHT also like... igneous rock is basalt felsic or mafic process! 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The seafloor even black colors rocks that form on the other hand, felsic is basalt felsic or mafic much higher of. Ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish ( click here for more information on and! Basalt products to save weight, improve performance, enabling lightweight composites of the Earth 's surface features of continental... Weak volcanic eruption the eruption will be explosive... volcanoes are not commonly used terms, as one observe. You how to calculate percent difference in their characteristic appearance of green while felsic.... Or extrusive ( volcanic ) to 0.5 m thick ( Fig Irvine CA 92603 the rock based size! Found at 650-750˚ C and is running that contains pyroxene and olivine with Table ) 6789 Hill... Rock that contains pyroxene and calciumrich plagioclase feldspar olivine Correct basalt is the term to... Oceanic crust, basalt is a contrasting difference in the magma also if. Forms feldspar and quartz 3 Bjornerud Ch 2 felsic, Travel, Finance and. 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