volcano basics I Flashcards
what is igneous rock?
formed of molten rock
melting of rocks in hot, deep crust and upper mantle
what is magma?
molten rock underground
what is lava?
molten rock on the surface of the planet
rocks that solidify underground are called?
plutonic or intrusive
what are rocks called that solidify on the surface or above ground?
volcanic or extrusive
if a rock has cooled more slowly, what size is it, and what kind of rock is it?
bigger (coarse crystals) + intrusive
if a rock has cooled more quickly, what size is it, and what kind of rock is it?
smaller (fine grain crystals) + intrusive
what is pyroclastic rock?
refers to deposits and rocks formed by the eruption of a volcano, extrusive rocks
what is a tephra?
material ejected through the air during eruption (volcanic ash or pumice)
what is igneous rock classification based on?
- intrusive or extrusive
- amount of silica content
(mineral assemblage + texture)
what is a mafic rock?
lower silica, higher magnesium and ferric
what is a felsic rock?
higher silica and feldspar, lower magnesium and ferric
what is an intermediate igneous rock?
varies in element content
what are some properties of mafic rocks?
- 45 - 50% silica
- low viscosity (runny / flowy)
- dark in color (magnesium and felsic)
- melt and forms are very hot
- abundant ferromagnesian mineral
- calcium rich feldspar
what is an example of mafic igneous rocks?
basalt (extrusive, fine grain) or gabbro (intrusive, coarse grain)
what are some properties of intermediate igneous rocks?
- 50 - 70% silica
- little or no quartz
- purple / green / grey color
what are some examples of intermediate igneous rocks?
dacite and andesite and nanocides (extrusive, fine grain) + diorite/granodiorite (intrusive, coarse grain)
what are some properties of felsic igneous rocks?
- > 70% silica
- formed in association with continental crust
- high viscosity (thick)
- melts and forms at low temperatures
- potassium rich feldspar
- sodium rich quartz
- low ferromagnesium
- lots of feldspar and quartz