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

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Compare meaning

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

• mafic vs. felsic

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

felsic

Figure 4.7 The important processes that lead to changes in the composition of magmas stored within magma chambers within relatively felsic rocks of the crust.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

To be more specific, felsic rocks typically have biotite and/or amphibole; intermediate rocks have amphibole and, in some cases, pyroxene; and mafic rocks have pyroxene and, in some cases, olivine.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The compositions of typical mafic, intermediate, and felsic magmas are shown in Figure 3.12.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

At subduction zones, the average magma composition is likely to be close to intermediate, but as we’ve seen, magma chambers can become zoned and so compositions ranging from felsic to mafic are possible.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Figure 3.12 The chemical compositions of typical mafic, intermediate, and felsic magmas and the types of rocks that form from them.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

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