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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
From the perspective of volcanism there are some important differences between felsic and mafic magmas.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Intermediate rocks have between 20% and 50% ferromagnesian silicates, and mafic rocks have 50% to 100% ferromagnesian silicates.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
St. Helens imply that the magma chamber is zoned, from more felsic at the top to more mafic at the bottom.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
