What Are the 4 Igneous Rock Compositions

Igneous rocks can be divided into four categories based on their chemical composition: felsic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic. The diagram of Bowen’s reaction series (Figure 7.6) shows that differences in chemical composition correspond to differences in the types of minerals within an igneous rock.

What are the compositions of igneous rock?

  • Mafic rocks are richer in Mg, Fe, and Ca. …
  • Felsic rocks are richer in K, Na, Al and Si, and, compared to mafic rocks, are lighter in color as well as density.
  • Intermediate compositions lie between these two end members.

What are four mafic igneous rocks?

A mafic mineral or rock is a silicate mineral or igneous rock rich in magnesium and iron. Most mafic minerals are dark in color, and common rock-forming mafic minerals include olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite. Common mafic rocks include basalt, diabase and gabbro.

Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.

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