Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
The terms
felsic, intermediate, mafic,
and
ultramafic
can also refer to the min-
erals that form igneous rocks. For example, minerals made of silica, such as
quartz, may be called felsic minerals.
Mama magma: Birthing igneous rocks
Knowing igneous rocks are formed from molten rock, you may wonder how so many
types of igneous rocks can exist. Why the wide variety in their textures and mineral
compositions? In this section, I explain the processes by which molten rock changes be-
fore becoming an igneous rock so you can better understand how all these igneous
rocks are created.
Remembering how magma is made
