felsic

American  

[fel-sik] / ˈfɛl sɪk /

adjective

Geology.

1. (of rocks) consisting chiefly of feldspars, feldspathoids, quartz, and other light-colored minerals.

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felsic Scientific  

/ fĕl′sĭk /

1. Relating to an igneous rock that contains a group of light-colored silicate minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoid, quartz, and muscovite.

2. Compare mafic

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Etymology

Origin of felsic

First recorded in 1910–15; fel(dspar) + s(ilica) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does felsic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mafic vs. felsic

Example Sentences

Titanium isotopic evidence for felsic crust and plate tectonics 3.5 billion years ago.

From Nature

One type of magma, called felsic or rhyolitic, is about 65 percent to 75 percent silicon dioxide; its temperature is roughly 1,112 to 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit.

From New York Times

Molten rock that glows red is probably in the felsic temperature range.

From New York Times

Should a volcano erupt, for example, the newly released lava will push down on mafic rocks until they become so deeply buried that they melt under the high subterranean pressures and temperatures, transforming into felsic rocks.

From Scientific American

Given that light-colored felsic rocks were abundant billions of years ago, plate tectonics had likely already kicked into action.

From Scientific American