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Glite Dictionary
amphibolite

amphibolite

1 9.9
A hard dark rock made mostly of amphibole and feldspar minerals
  • noun
  • /æmˈfɪbəˌlaɪt/
  • Specialized
: anfibolita
  • Geologists discovered a layer of amphibolite beneath the granite bedrock.

Examples

  • The mountain range contains significant deposits of amphibolite, giving the landscape its dark appearance.

  • The geologist studied the amphibolite sample carefully.

  • A thin section of amphibolite reveals its characteristic interlocking crystals under the microscope.

  • Many amphibolites are found in metamorphic terrains.

  • The geologist studied the amphibolite sample to analyze its mineral composition.

  • During the field trip, we observed a large formation of amphibolite along the cliffside.

  • Rock formations, including amphibolite, can reveal significant information about the Earth's geological history.

Synonyms

metamorphic rock
vsamphibolite
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A rock changed by heat and pressure inside the earth

is a specific subtype made mainly of amphibole and plagioclase

Surface Forms

amphibolite singular
amphibolites plural

Morphology

amphibolite = amphibole (transparent) = amphibole + ite

Formed by the standard mineral-forming suffix '-ite' added to 'amphibole', so the meaning is directly 'a rock/mineral related to amphibole' (though both terms are technical).

Etymology

The word amphibolite comes from the mineral amphibole plus the ending -ite, which means 'rock' or 'stone'. The amphibole part has the Greek root amphi- meaning 'both', the same root as amphibian ('on land and water'), so amphibolite is a 'rock' mostly made of amphibole minerals.