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

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

The higher viscosity prevents gases from escaping from the magma, and so felsic magmas are more pressurized and more likely to erupt explosively.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

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

Composite volcanoes are normally associated with subduction, and while their magma tends to be intermediate on average, it can range all the way from felsic to mafic.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Although there are many exceptions to this trend, mafic magmas typically have 1% to 3% volatiles, intermediate magmas have 3% to 4% volatiles, and felsic magmas have 4% to 7% volatiles.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015