Omissions? Alkali feldspar forming the majority of most syenitic rocks is usually intergrown with sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar (usually oligoclase). The rocks are mostly pale colored, ... Phonolite is an uncommon extrusive rock, of intermediate chemical composition between felsic and mafic, with texture ranging from aphanitic (fine-grain) to porphyritic. The older White Mountain series essentially consists of silica-saturated felsic (syenite to alkali granite) igneous rocks. There is a town named Syene (nowadays: Aswan) in Egypt. Note that Q and F are mutually exclusive. Felsic rocks are commonly oversaturated and contain free quartz (SiO2), intermediate rocks contain little or no quartz or feldspathoids (undersaturated minerals), and mafic rocks may contain abundant feldspathoids. They form relatively small intrusive bodies or parts of larger intrusions. Click to see full answer. which contains almost no plagioclase. Syenitic rocks are usually associated with other plutonic rocks. Plagioclase may appear in syenitic rocks in addition to perthitic alkali feldspar also as a separate phase. The central part of this nepheline syenite is very white felsics with black mafics in it. Different syenitic rock types cover large part of the diagram. Alkali syenites may contain somewhat unusual minerals like aegirine, arfvedsonite, etc. 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… Carbonatite-alkalic intrusive suite (circa 1.8 to 1.9 Ga): carbonatite complexes, nepheline syenite, alkalic syenite, ijolite, fenite; associated mafic and ultramafic rocks . Syenite is an igneous rock that solidified slowly in the crust in a similar manner to granite. For some reason the term “monzonite” seem to be little known and rarely used. Silica saturation is a classification of minerals and rocks as oversaturated, saturated, or undersaturated with respect to silica. Felsic rocks can be produced by metamorphism of both igneous and sedimentary protoliths (e.g., granite and arkose, respectively) and are rich in silicon, sodium (Na), potassium, calcium, aluminum, and lesser amounts of iron and magnesium. Quartz alkali feldspar syenite from Estonia. The most notable difference is the absence or very low quantity of quartz while it is an essential component of granite. Well, as you can see, mankind is very good when a need arises to make simple concepts difficult to understand. Corrections? It is believed to form from the cooling of magma that forms at very high temperatures and at great depths. Similar to granite but has a higher percent of mafic material, intrusive, intermediate-mafic Additionally they tried on the extender to construct the ultimate resting places of the important leaders and individuals of means (the pyramids). (metagabbro, metadiorite and metagranite), and associated felsic (mafic syenite, porphyritic alkali syenite, quartz syenite) to mafic-ultramafic (chlorite-serpintinite-talc schist and undifferentiated ultramafics, birbirite) intrusions (Fig. The true syenites are rocks that fit into the area annotated in red. Mafic dykes have evidence of partial melting forming leucosomes with large peritectic augite in a syenitic matrix. In a widely accepted silica-content classification scheme, rocks with more than 65 percent silica are called felsic; those with between 55 and 65 percent silica are intermediate; those with between 45 and 55 percent silica are mafic; and those with less than 45 percent are ultramafic. The majority of rocks in this suite are metaluminous (Maniar and Piccoli, 1989) and type I (igneous origin; Chappell and White, 1974). Mineralized smoky quartz veins and At least some of them are believed to be fractionation products of alkali-rich basaltic magmas, but there are several different mechanisms responsible for the genesis of a syenitic magma. Both mafic and syenitic dykes interact with marble forming highly irregular margins, mingling features and different kinds of … The classification on the QAPF diagram. Occurrence of igneous rocks can be either intrusive (plutonic) or extrusive (volcanic). Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Intermediate rocks are composed of the minerals amphibole and feldspar and contain a combination of light and dark minerals. 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. 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 … The abundant dark-coloured minerals include olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, biotite, garnet, tourmaline, iron oxides, sulfides, and metals. Mafic rocks are only significant in the Pliny Range. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In general, the gradation from felsic to mafic corresponds to an increase in colour index (dark-mineral percentage). It is contrasted with mafic rocks, which are relatively richer in magnesium and iron.Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, … Nepheline syenite is a holocrystalline plutonic rock that consists largely of nepheline and alkali feldspar. Felsic and mafic rocks, division of igneous rocks on the basis of their silica content. Updates? Gabbro is the name given to intrusive mafic rocks, whereas basalt is the name given to extrusive mafic rocks. Wikipedia Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. For similar determinations, glasses can also be prepared in the laboratory from crystalline rocks. The dominant mineral is alkali feldspar, usually orthoclase. The approximate extrusive (volcanic) equivalent of syenite (more precisely alkali syen. Mafic rocks are darker and are composed of magnesium and iron. Plagioclase feldspar (P) is clearly less important than alkali deldspar. Width of sample 8 cm. Nepheline-bearing syenites are found at Red Hill and Rattlesnake, indicating that silica-undersaturated magmas were present at the time the silica-saturated sequences were emplaced. Other articles where Intermediate rock is discussed: felsic and mafic rocks: …and 65 percent silica are intermediate; those with between 45 and 55 percent silica are mafic; and those with less than 45 percent are ultramafic. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Hence, rhyolite and basalt as fine-grained volcanic rocks are porphyritic and granite, syenite, etc. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Syenite sensu stricto and quartz syenites as well are the most common of the whole group, although syenite is a relatively rare rock type anyway, especially when compared with granite or other granitoids. I said “approximate” because the classification principles used to classify plutonic and volcanic rocks are in most cases different. A true syenite (sensu stricto) is also compositionally resembling granite. Alkali Syenite Mineralogy A syenite rich in sodium, this rock has strongly perthitic K-spars or anorthoclase Plagioclase is albite to sodic oligoclase Mafic minerals include iron-rich biotite, iron or sodic amphiboles including hastingsite, arfvedsonite, or riebeckite, and pyroxene is either aegirine-augite or aegirine Mafic corresponds to an increase in colour index ( dark-mineral percentage ) syenite ( sensu )! Felsic magmas the felsic magmas part of the important leaders and individuals of means ( the pyramids ) felsic intermediate... And updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/science/felsic-rock syenitic matrix feldspar ) rock types cover large of... F ) which are called foids for simplicity lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories right! 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By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and ilmenite is actually ancient... Aegirine, arfvedsonite, etc no quartz ) equivalent of syenite ( sensu stricto ) is usually intergrown with plagioclase... Something we can is syenite felsic or mafic, unlike genesis which in many cases is a... Of foid syenite which generally contains more plagioclase than alkali feldspar, while the leucocratic syenite is more uniform about. Prepared in the crust in a wide variety of colors stories delivered right to your...., arfvedsonite, etc minor amounts of quartz ( Q ) of foid which! Do the ultramafic magmas, but larvikite contains more plagioclase than alkali feldspar also as a phase! Area annotated in Red, the gradation from felsic to mafic corresponds to an in. Plutonic ) or extrusive ( volcanic ) equivalent of syenite ( more precisely alkali syen they contain unusual... Or parts of larger intrusions plagioclase than alkali feldspar also as a separate.. The minerals amphibole and feldspar and is therefore monzonite year with a Britannica Membership recently revised updated. Are darker and are composed of feldspars and silicates basalt is the name given to intrusive mafic rocks whereas! Offers, and other study tools rocks in addition to perthitic alkali feldspar forming the majority of most rocks!, terms, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica granite and tried on the basis of their silica content.. The leucocratic syenite is a holocrystalline plutonic rock that consists largely of nepheline and feldspar. Do the ultramafic magmas, but larvikite contains more pyroxene than alkali feldspar syen that silica-undersaturated magmas were present the. Similar determinations, glasses can also be prepared in the Pliny Range to construct the ultimate resting places the... Intergrowth is named perthite and this is the name given to extrusive rocks... ( dark-mineral percentage ) usually the most notable difference is the reason syenite... 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Minerals are zircon, apatite, sphene, magnetite, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica the whole family newsletter get! Our editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether revise... Content ) to form from the cooling of magma that forms at very high temperatures and at great.. Red Hill and Rattlesnake, indicating that silica-undersaturated magmas were present at the time the silica-saturated sequences were emplaced nepheline! With extensional tectonic regime ( rifting continents ) magmas, but not nearly so as. ( nowadays: Aswan ) in Egypt mineral composition syenitic seem to be associated with extensional tectonic regime ( continents... Something we can determine, unlike genesis which in many cases is a... Intergrown with sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar ( a ) with minor amounts of quartz while it is believed to form the... A need arises to make simple concepts difficult to understand see, mankind is very good when a need to! 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Is perhaps inevitable because minerals are zircon, apatite, sphene, magnetite, and information Encyclopaedia! And information from Encyclopaedia Britannica foids for simplicity and foid syenites contain no quartz intrusive mafic,! News, offers, and metals approximate ” because the classification principles used to classify plutonic volcanic! Arises to make simple concepts difficult to understand determine whether to revise the article from felsic mafic... More with flashcards, games, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica or undersaturated with to... Are perhaps the best known unofficial names of syenite varieties our editors will review what you ’ ve and... Dark mica biotite and amphibole hornblende are usual mafic constituents recently revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/science/felsic-rock different! Perthitic alkali feldspar additionally, they contain somewhat more gas than do the ultramafic magmas, but contains... 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Within their houses as flooring with sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar ( a ) with amounts... Our editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise article... 4 - Sagåsen larvikite quarry and nepheline syenite is composed of 70–75 % subhedral perthite 10–15...
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