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Geology: Igneous Rocks
Chapter 4
24
Geology
Undergraduate 1
04/13/2009

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Term
Igneous rocks (ignis = fire)
Definition
Rocks that form as molten rocks that cool and solidify. ROCKS FORMED FROM MAGMA.
Term
Intrusive rocks
Definition
Magma that crystallizes at depth
Term
Magma
Definition
Molten material consisting of liquid (melt), solid (silicate minerals), and gas (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide) components.
Term
Volatiles
Definition
FLUIDS - especially water. The parts in the melt that vaporize at surface pressure. Causes rock to MELT AT LOWER TEMPERATURES. Stays with magma until it researches or comes close to the surface or starts to crystallize
Term
RATE at which magma cools, amount of SILICA present , amount of dissolved GASES in the magma
Definition
Three factors that affect crystal size.
Term
Aphanitic texture (a = not , phaner = visible)
Definition
Igneous rocks that form at the surface or as small masses within the upper crust where cooling is relatively rapid. RESULTS IN FINE-GRAINED TEXTURE.
Term
Vesicular texture
Definition
Rocks with voids left by gas bubbles at escape as lava solidifies
Term
Phaneritic texture (phaner=visible)
Definition
COARSE-GRAINED TEXTURE as a result of magma slowly solidifying below the surface
Term
Porphyritic texture
Definition
Large crystals(phenocrysts) embedded in a matrix of smaller crystals (groundmass)
Term
Glassy texture
Definition
Molten rock ejected into the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption results in VERY RAPID COOLING - called obsidian.
Term
Felsic / GRANITIC
Definition
CONTINENTAL. GRANITIC rocks that are rich in silica. LIGHTer and less dense. Low viscosity (THIN). Highest silica content (70%+)
Term
Mafic / BASALTIC
Definition
OCEANIC. BASALTIC composition rich in ferromagesian minerals. High iron content = DARKer and denser. High viscosity (THICK)
Term
Viscosity
Definition
Measurement of RESISTANCE of a fluid. Refers to the thickness of it. Thin liquid = low; Thick = high
Term
Pyroclastic (fragmental) Texture
Definition
Igneous rocks formed from individual rock fragments ejected during a volcanic eruption that come together and solidify. Common type known as WELDED TUFF - composed of fine glass fragments that FUSE TOGETHER upon impact
Term
Pegmatitic Texture
Definition
Exceptionally COARSE-GRAINED igneous rocks. Made up of interlocking crystals larger than a centimeter in diameter. The crystals are NOT results of prolonged cooling but being a fluid-rich environment in which ION MIGRATION IS ENCHANCED. Found around margins of large PLUTONS as SMALL masses or THIN veins.
Term
Intermediate / ANDESITIC and/or DIORITIC
Definition
ANDESITIC Composition. IN BETWEEN granitic and basaltic. Has 25% basaltic minerals and is has a dominant felsic mineral: plagioclase feldspar.
Term
Ultramafic
Definition
PERIDOTITE- igneous rock containing mostly olivine and pyroxene. OPPOSITE to Felsic(GRANITIC) rocks. RARE on surface, but main component of upper mantle. Very low silica content (45%)
Term
Silica (SiO2)
Definition
Combine silicon (S) and oxygen (O). They are the two most ABUNDANT elements in igneous rocks. Lowest in ultramafic, highest in felsic.
Term
Geothermal gradient
Definition
Change in temperature with DEPTH. EX: temp. at 100 km can range from 1200- 1400 degrees Celsius. Temperatures get hotter as you go deeper.
Term
Heat
Definition
The factor of the state of matter a rock is in. Produced by: increase in DEPTH, FRICTION from subduction zones (huge slabs of crust slide past each other), hot mantle RISING and intruding crustal rocks.
Term
Heat, Pressure, and Volatiles.
Definition
Three factors that generate Magma
Term
Compression melting
Definition
When pressure drops enough so that rock turns from solid to liquid.
Term
Pressure
Definition
Increases with depth. Can melt rock when accompanied with an increase in volume. Melts at high temperature at depth because of this. INCREASING this INCREASES rocks melting point. Meaning more elevating a rock is the hotter it needs to be to melt it.
Term
Depth
Definition
Confining pressure. Increase in this can cause an increase in rock's melting point. Decrease in this causes rock's melting point to decrease.
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