mafic
Americanadjective
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Relating to an igneous rock that contains a group of dark-colored minerals, composed chiefly of magnesium and iron.
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Compare felsic
Etymology
Origin of mafic
1910–15; ma(gnesium) + Latin f ( errum ) iron + -ic
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Example Sentences
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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
Between 1980 and 1986 the slow eruption of more mafic and less viscous lava led to construction of a dome inside the crater.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Figure 3.13 Examples of the igneous rocks that form from mafic, intermediate, and felsic magmas.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
As a mafic magma starts to cool, some of the silica combines with iron and magnesium to make olivine.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
As has already been described, igneous rocks are classified into four categories, based on either their chemistry or their mineral composition: felsic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
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