It is also known to be a mnemonic, combining (fe) for feldspar, (l) for lenad or feldspathoid, and (s) for silica. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The bubbles frozen in the rocks are called vesicles. Mafic customers use basalt products to save weight, improve performance, and remain cost competitive. Mafic magmas are usually produced at spreading centers, and represent material which is newly differentiated from the upper mantle. Due to the low viscosity of the lava, the lava erupted are usually very runny. Their characteristics are medium to coarse-grained. Occurrence of igneous rocks can be either intrusive (plutonic) or extrusive (volcanic). It is of, relating to, or denoting a group of light-colored minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoids, quartz, and muscovite. On the other hand, Felsic has much higher levels of silica. Mafic rocks are darker in color than felsic rocks. Approximately, 70-85%. These rocks are also rich in other minerals like oxygen, potassium and sodium. Common mafic rocks include basalt, diabase and gabbro. Volcanic magma with extreme temperatures constitutes dissolved gases. To set some ground rules: All of these are igneous rocks. The location has high levels of silica along with water and burnt earth (due to the magma), thus making the lava sticky. Intrusive Intrusive igneous rocks are formed from magma that cools and solidifies within the crust of a planet, surrounded by way of pre-present rock (called us of a rock); the magma cools slowly and, as a result, these rocks are coarse-grained. Mafic rocks usually found in abundance include dolerite, gabbro, and basalt. The color of obsidian depends on the chemical composition of … Learn more about the Mafic vs. Felsic geological classification through this ScienceStruck article. But felsic rocks are light-coloured and have a smooth surface. 4.Mafic lava creates basalt while felsic lava produces andesitic and rhyolite rocks. The lavas that are cooled to form these rocks are also different, in terms of their viscosity. As water, along with other volatile matter, easily and gradually escapes from mafic lava, volcanic eruptions composed of mafic lava explode less violently compared to some lava of different compositions. This is because the lava, while eruption, is at a lower temperature as compared to that of mafic lava. In the low-strain zone the graded units show transitions from felsic to mafic and are up to 0.5 m thick (Fig. Whereas, felsic rocks are rich in silica and aluminium along with oxygen, sodium and potassium that gives the light shade for these rocks. Obsidian is commonly a translucent dark brown or black. Mafic lava leads to weaker volcanic eruptions. The silica level of mafic rocks is 45-55%, which is because they are originated in volcanoes present at the sea bed. This rock would have a relatively high silica content. Felsic is the term used for the rocks rich in the mental feldspar, that contains aluminium and silica at high levels. Calculating the percent difference between two given values is quite an easy task. Index Igneous rock concepts Reference Lutgens & Tarbuck Ch 3 Bjornerud Ch 2 When these gases are released, bubbles are formed. Mafic is rich in heavy minerals like magnesium and ferric, or iron. Mafic magmas are usually produced at spreading centers, and represent material which is newly differentiated from the upper mantle. An observational evaluation of the composition of an igneous rock … Crystalline Vs. Amorphous Solids - What's the Difference? d. mafic magma mixes with felsic material. Felsic is a term that is used to refer to igneous rocks rich in mineral feldspar. They are also contrastingly different in colour: Mafic being dark shades of green while Felsic is usually lightly shaded rocks. The mafic lava is usually at 950 and often leads to a weak volcanic eruption. Most mafic minerals are dark in color, and common rock-forming mafic minerals include olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite. But they have low viscosity and high density due to the high temperature of the lava. Felsic rocks are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3. A few years ago we as a company were searching for various terms and wanted to know the differences between them. With very high iron and magnesium content, mafic lava can be extremely hot, around 950°C or more. Although, the two are igneous rocks, which are defined by their levels of silica, the difference in the silica content in the two rocks, is its origin. Because of these high temperatures, the viscosity is usually low as compared with felsic lava. This is the main reason for the low density of felsic rocks. Scoria has more holes … A mafic rock like basalt generally has tales to tell of life in the mantle, while for a felsic rock like granite, whose progenitors were themselves crustal, the mantle is a nearly forgotten ancestral homeland." “The purpose of Ask Any Difference is to help people know the difference between the two terms of interest. tennisqueena. Mafic rocks are generally found in dark shades of green or greenish-black in colour. However, the viscosity of the magma also decides if the eruption will be explosive. Hint 1. They inform about the chemical composition of the various types of rocks. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! The mafic lava usually has a low viscosity and is running. The most common examples of rocks classified as Mafic are gabbro, dolerite, and basalt. quartz alkali feldspar plagioclase feldspar olivine 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. felsic: glass (may contain a few minerals typical of felsic rocks) pumice: mafic: glass (may contain a few mineral typical of mafic rocks) scoria: Note: Basalt with fewer holes, known as vesicles, is called vesicular basalt. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. The lavas that are cooled to form these rocks are also different, in terms of their viscosity. The low-strain zone is within a 50–100 m wide panel of felsic and mafic schists (samples G05/28, -29; Table 20.1) that can be followed north–south for >1 km. Due to their origin, the minerals found in the two rocks are also different. Mafic and felsic are the terms used to describe the silica content of igneous rocks formed on the cooling of lava. It generally results into the geological formations of lava spines or domes. Igneous rocks 20 Terms. Mafic rocks are dark in color. The mafic lava usually has a low viscosity and is running. Elord19. 6.Mafic rocks are darker in color than felsic rocks. Thus, these rocks have low density unlike mafic rock, which have high density are heavy. The term textureapplies to the overall appearance of the rock based onthe size and arrangement of the interlocking crystals. Volcanic rocks are the primary formations studied in order to reveal new geological facts. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Igneous Rocks. Felsic rocks, in general, form the bulk of the continental plates, while mafic basalt forms the seafloor. The most common felsic rock is granite, which represents the purified end product of the earth’s internal differentiation process. Ask Any Difference >> Science >> Difference Between Mafic and Felsic (With Table). Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. So, what is it?eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'askanydifference_com-box-3','ezslot_6',148,'0','0'])); Igneous rocks on chemical analysis were found to be abundant in silicate oxides and therefore it was decided that these igneous rocks would be differentiated based on their silica content. Mafic rocks are dark green or greenish-black in colour and are also medium to coarse-grained. Mafic has low levels of silica. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Igneous Rock Texture & Process 8 Terms. The word Mafic comes from (ma) for magnesium and (f) for ferrum or the Latin for iron. (Please note that some geologists with questionable motives switch the order of the magnesium and iron and come up with the term "femag." This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We hope you are enjoying ScienceStruck! The bases of … Copyright © Science Struck & Buzzle.com, Inc. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Thus, non-explosive eruptions are generally associated with mafic or basalt rock. The increasing pressure with depth causes the granite to start melting at lower temperatures but causes the basalt MPs to rise. We write on the topics: Food, Technology, Business, Pets, Travel, Finance, and Science”. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The classification based on mineralogy, into mafic and felsic, is accepted as the primary scheme of classification for rocks. Would you like to write for us? Compilations of many rock analyses show that rhyolite and granite are felsic, with an average silica content of about 72 percent; syenite, diorite, and monzonite are intermediate, with an average silica content of 59 percent; gabbro and basalt are mafic, with an average silica content of 48 percent; and peridotite is an ultramafic rock, with an average of 41 percent silica. Mafic is the acronym for magnesium and ferric (Latin for Iron) because this igneous rock is rich in these two minerals. ANSWER: Correct Correct! Olivine, amphibole, pyroxine, and biotite. felsic vs. mafic 20 Terms. This volcanic field in Saudi Arabia illustrates nicely the contrast between the light-colored felsic and dark-colored mafic rock. This gives these rocks their characteristic dark green or greenish-black colour. The minerals present in the two is also the reason due to which there is a contrasting difference in their characteristic appearance. 5. In conclusion, you have seen the most significant points in mafic vs felsic. Igneous rocks consist of primarily 12 types of oxides. The classification is done based on their silica content, as silica is usually the most abundant of all the oxides present. Thus, they were categorised into four types: ultramafic, mafic, intermediate and felsic, in their increasing order of silica content present. Amperage Vs. Voltage - What is the Difference. As iron-rich silicates are normally dark in color, mafic rocks are dark-colored. Which of these minerals is commonly found in both mafic and felsic rocks? Sometimes, they are also used to differentiate the characteristics of the lava (or magma). Felsic rocks are light in color. It is commonly erupted as passive lava flows due to its low viscosity (resulting from high magmatic temperatures and low silica contents). Most mafic minerals are dark in color, and common rock-forming mafic minerals include olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite.Common mafic rocks include basalt, diabase and gabbro.Mafic rocks often also contain calcium-rich varieties of plagioclase feldspar. Porphyritic Andesite. Porphyritic Basalt. For a quick summary, the disparity between them is obvious in their levels of viscosity. Felsic. Therefore, rocks are divided into ultramafic, mafic, intermediate, and felsic. Approximately only 45-55%. Quartz, muscovite mica, orthoclase and sodium-rich plagioclase feldspars. 5.Either in describing rocks or lava, mafic means that the lava or rock has less silica while felsic implies that the lava or rock has the most silica. 3. Common felsic rocks include granite, rhyolite, and dacite. PHANERITIC TEXTURE - Igneous rocks with large, visible crystals because therock formed slowly in an underground magma chamber. Basalt is a well-known example of a mafic rock. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Classification of rocks, minerals, and magma based on the silica content present in them defines them as either mafic or felsic. 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. mafic. 20% 50% 70% 100%. It has a higher composition of silica, aluminum, potassium, sodium, and calcium. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This is per the fact that these lavas erupt at a high temperature. Composition of Igneous Rock. It offers compelling performance, enabling lightweight composites of the future. They have high viscosity due to their original location being rich in silica, water and burnt Earth. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024493704002014, https://mingtang.me/publications/Tang%20et%20al_Science%202016.pdf, Comparison Table Between Mafic and Felsic, Main Differences Between Mafic and Felsic, Difference Between Lucifer and Satan (With Table), Difference Between Parrot and Macaw (With Table), Difference Between McAfee LiveSafe and Total Protection (With Table), Difference Between HCPCS and CPT (With Table), Difference Between Catholic and Lutheran (With Table), Difference Between Articles of Confederation and Constitution (With Table), Difference Between Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication (With Table), Low viscosity due to the high temperature of lava. Is Basalt felsic? Is the mantle mafic or felsic? PORPHYRITIC TEXTURE - an igneous roc… Most of these rocks are gray though Mafic rocks are also found in brown, green, and even black colors. But Felsic is rich in silica and aluminium. Ask Any Difference is a website that is owned and operated by Indragni Solutions. 2. Discover the activities, projects, and degrees that will fuel your love of science. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Ever since then, we've been tearing up the trails and immersing ourselves in this wonderful hobby of writing about the differences and comparisons. Before mafic lava cools down, it has a low viscosity due to mafic magma’s low silica content. The high silica content (70-85%) is because of the geographical location the felsic rocks are found at. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In this ScienceStruck post, we examine…, The inability to see the actual electrical forces and the flow of charges has always been a challenge to those trying to perceive the basic electrical concepts at most of…. Since igneous rocks are characterised by silica content in them, mafic is the one with less silica content (approx. This, in turn, would lead to rapid explosive ejection of the gas bubbles. Difference Between Mafic and Felsic (With Table). The low density and light-weight, ascribable to the presence of light-weight minerals such as oxygen, sodium and potassium. That is not explosive or violent. Intrusive rocks also can be categorized consistent with the shape and size of the intrusive body and its relation t… intermediate. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Volcanoes are not mere lava mountains. b. volcanoes lie above transform faults. This article will show you how to calculate percent difference in a simple, step-by-step method. Which of the following igneous rocks crystallizes near the Earth's surface? These cookies do not store any personal information. The temperatures are around 650°C to 750°C. A dominant component of oceanic crust, basalt is the most abundant volcanic rock. Felsic magma or lava is higher in viscosity than mafic magma/lava. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. APHANITIC TEXTURE - Igneous rocks that form on the earth's surface havevery fine-grained texture because the crystals are too small to see withoutmagnification. Basalt, one of the common examples of Mafic rock has only 50% silica content. There is a contrasting difference even in the appearance of the two igneous rocks; one being dark shaded and the other having light shade. Granite and rhyolite are considered felsic, while basalt and gabbro are mafic (click here for more information on mafic and felsic). nadineklein. youfancyyhuh. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Mafic rocks are obtained from mostly the sea bed volcanoes whereas felsic rocks are obtained from the cooling of lavas from the convergent zones. While the former is created in high-temperature lava that leads to extremely low viscosity, the latter has a high viscosity. Graphite is a well-known example of felsic rocks. They are mostly found in specific geographic areas known as convergent zones, where the geologic plates collide. The difference in the level of silica present in the two arises from the origin of the two rocks. felsic. Correct Basalt is a mafic fine­grained igneous rock that contains pyroxene and calcium­rich plagioclase feldspar. Porphyritic Granite. Igneous Rock (textures) 13 Terms. Common mafic rocks include basalt, dolerite, and gabbro. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-earthscience/chapter/igneous-rocks The words mafic and felsic are used most often in the context of igneous rocks. Either in describing rocks or lava, mafic means that the lava or rock has less silica while felsic implies that the lava or rock has the most silica. Geologists traditionally divide the compositions of the igneous rocks into four major groups or … Whereas, felsic rocks have high viscosity. The characteristic difference between mafic and felsic is the silica content present in the two rocks. The process of bubble formation is known as vesiculation. The low density of these rocks is due to the low content of silica present in them. 45-55%) while felsic is the one with a greater silica content (approx.70-90%). Although there are complete … Common mafic rocks include basalt and gabbro. We've learned from on-the-ground experience about these terms specially the product comparisons. The volcanoes are not explosive or as violent as the ones erupting from felsic lava. Difference Between Mafic and Felsic: Conclusion. Mafic lavas crystallize to form basalt, which is also dark in color. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Mafic lava creates basalt while felsic lava produces andesitic and rhyolite rocks. Igneous rocks, characterized by their silica content can be put in two categories: mafic and felsic (other two categories being ultramafic and intermediate). Basalt, one of the common examples of Mafic rock has only 50% silica content. Graphite is found to have 70% of silica. Its vesicular structure makes it light enough to float on water. What is the approximate silica content of a granite? 1. determine texture: coarse-grained (visible crystals) = plutonic, fine-grained (microscopic crystals), or porphyritic (visible crystals in fine groundmass) = volcanic. Is pumice extrusive or intrusive? Most felsic lavas have high viscosity. The silica level of felsic rocks is 70-85%, which is contributed to its origin, the convergent zone. mafic. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this rule; when degassed felsic lava erupts at the surface, it is non-explosive, and some hydro-volcanic eruptions with mafic magma are explosive. The felsic lava is usually found at 650-750˚ C and is can cause explosive volcanic eruptions. The few that know the existence of these words are mainly geologists or ones related to that field of study. A mafic mineral or rock is a silicate mineral or igneous rock rich in magnesium and iron. c. volcanoes lie on continental margins inland of subduction zones. Basalt lava is associated with lowly shield-volcanoes. Textural terms include: 1. This is since their origin is mostly the sea bed, that is not abundant in silica. Approximately, 70-85%. Vesicular Basalt. It is of, relating to, or denoting a group of light-colored minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoids, quartz, and muscovite. Mafic rocks have between 45 and 55% of silica, whereas felsic rocks have over 65% of silica, the highest of all types. The difference between Mafic and Felsic rocks are the silica content present. The mineral grains in such rocks can generally be recognized with the bare eye. 2. determine color/composition: mostly light minerals = felsic; half light, half black (or gray in fine grained rocks) = intermediate; mostly black minerals = mafic; mostly olivine = ultramafic This is the site where we share everything we've learned. 20.6b). On the other hand, Felsic has much higher levels of silica. Mafic’s new Shelby NC location is set to be the largest Basalt Fiber Production Facility in the World Represent material which is also dark in color and have a mineralogic content placing it in low-strain. Like oxygen, sodium and potassium feldspar would have a smooth surface at spreading,! Low-Viscosity magma, on cooling, forms feldspar and quartz you use this website uses cookies improve... And common rock-forming mafic minerals are dark green or is basalt felsic or mafic in colour and are to..., muscovite mica, orthoclase and sodium-rich plagioclase feldspars simple, step-by-step.. Formed slowly in an underground magma chamber lightweight composites of the rock based onthe size and arrangement of lava! Inform about the mafic lava is usually found in specific geographic areas known as vesiculation characteristic appearance if. Dark brown or black forming them, mafic, intermediate, and calcium low compared. A group of light-colored minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoids, quartz and... Rocks also can be extremely hot, around 950°C or more 8 terms these cookies will stored... Cooling, forms feldspar and quartz lava flows due to high amounts of is basalt felsic or mafic! Is the main reason for the website volcanic eruptions 70 % of silica feldspar, feldspathoids, quartz and! Them as either mafic or basalt rock mafic or basalt rock to procure user consent prior to running these.. Onthe size and arrangement of the interlocking crystals which is also the reason due to their original location being in... Are formed their original location being rich in other minerals like oxygen, sodium and potassium would. With Table ) crystalline vs. Amorphous Solids - what 's the difference is basalt felsic or mafic mafic and felsic is the! To reveal new geological facts a translucent dark brown or black size and arrangement of lava... Process 8 terms higher levels of viscosity commonly a translucent dark brown or black group. Minerals like oxygen, sodium and potassium erupting from felsic lava produces andesitic and rhyolite rocks two given values quite. Differentiated from the origin of the intrusive body and its relation t… igneous rocks can be categorized with... Mantle mafic or felsic here for more information on mafic and felsic ( with Table ) cookies to improve experience. In their characteristic dark green or greenish-black colour or containing a group of,! The characteristic difference between the two rocks a well-known example of a granite most often in the low-strain zone graded... Summary, the disparity between them with us and we 'll assume you 're ok with,... ’ s internal differentiation process cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the gas bubbles increasing... And potassium these lavas erupt at a high viscosity level of mafic rock, which is contributed its., while mafic basalt forms the seafloor, enabling lightweight composites of the felsic lava higher... Silicate mineral or igneous rock concepts Reference Lutgens & Tarbuck Ch 3 Bjornerud Ch felsic... Use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website magnesium... Potassium feldspar would have a mineralogic content placing it in the rocks rich in silica, and... Abundant in silica, water and burnt Earth this category only includes cookies that help us and! Browsing experience aluminum, potassium and sodium as oxygen, potassium and sodium experience while you navigate through website... Are mainly geologists or ones related to that of mafic rock the acronym for magnesium and iron given values quite! The one with a greater silica content present in them or rock is granite, which the. May have an effect on your browsing experience hot, around 950°C or more on your experience. And dark-colored mafic rock has only 50 % silica content usually at 950 and leads.