tholeiite

American  

[thoh-lee-ahyt, -luh-ahyt, toh-] / ˈθoʊ liˌaɪt, -ləˌaɪt, ˈtoʊ- /

noun

plural

tholeiites

1. Geology. an iron-rich basalt-like igneous rock.

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tholeiite Scientific  

/ tō′lə-īt′ /

1. Any of a series of igneous rocks that are similar in composition to basalt, but are richer in silica and iron and poorer in aluminum than basalt is. Tholeiites form especially at mid-ocean ridges and in continental rift areas.

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Other Word Forms

• tholeiitic
  adjective