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These structures are lighter colored than the host rock and typically range in diameter from 0.05mm to over 5 cm. [1] [2] [3] In 1648, Aldrovandi created the term variolite for aphanitic or fine-grained igneous rocks containing varioles. [4] [5] The weathering of varioles often cause variolites to have a pock-marked appearance.
Grain size in igneous rocks results from cooling time so porphyritic rocks are created when the magma has two distinct phases of cooling. [18] Igneous rocks are classified on the basis of texture and composition. Texture refers to the size, shape, and arrangement of the mineral grains or crystals of which the rock is composed. [citation needed]
Phaneritic (phaner = visible) textures are typical of intrusive igneous rocks, these rocks crystallized slowly below Earth's surface. As magma cools slowly the minerals have time to grow and form large crystals. The minerals in a phaneritic igneous rock are sufficiently large to see each individual crystal with the naked eye.
Granodiorite (/ ˌ ɡ r æ n oʊ ˈ d aɪ. ə r aɪ t, ˌ ɡ r æ n ə ˈ-/ GRAN-oh-DY-ə-ryte, GRAN-ə-) [1] [2] is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock similar to granite, but containing more plagioclase feldspar than orthoclase feldspar. The term banatite is sometimes used informally for various rocks ranging from granite to diorite ...
Metamorphic rocks are formed by subjecting any rock type—sedimentary rock, igneous rock or another older metamorphic rock—to different temperature and pressure conditions than those in which the original rock was formed. This process is called metamorphism, meaning to "change in form". The result is a profound change in physical properties ...
Monzonite is a coarse-grained igneous rock. Such rocks are classified by their relative percentages of quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar, and feldspathoid (the QAPF classification). Monzonite is defined as rock having less than 5% quartz in its QAPF fraction and in which alkali feldspar makes up between 35% and 65% of the total feldspar content.
Aplite (/ ˈ æ p l aɪ t /) is an intrusive igneous rock that has a granitic composition. Aplites are fine-grained to aphanitic (without grains visible to the naked eye) and may consist of only quartz and feldspar or the term may refer to any leucocratic (pale-coloured) minor intrusion of that grain size. [1]
A granitoid is a broad term referring to a diverse group of coarse-grained igneous rocks that are widely distributed across the globe, covering a significant portion of the Earth's exposed surface and constituting a large part of the continental crust. [1] These rocks are primarily composed ofquartz, plagioclase, and alkali feldspar. [2]