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Glite Dictionary
aphanitic

aphanitic

9.9
A rock with very small crystals you cannot see without a microscope
  • adjective
  • /ˌæfəˈnɪtɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : afanitico
  • The basalt sample is described as aphanitic because its crystals are too small to identify with the naked eye.

Examples

  • The basalt sample is described as aphanitic because its crystals are too small to identify with the naked eye.

  • Most volcanic rocks are aphanitic due to their rapid cooling at or near the Earth's surface.

  • Geologists classified the specimen as aphanitic, distinguishing it from coarse-grained granite.

  • This rock is aphanitic.

  • Look at this aphanitic sample I collected yesterday!

  • Geologists classified the specimen as aphanitic, distinguishing it from coarse-grained granite.

  • Most volcanic rocks are aphanitic due to their rapid cooling at or near the Earth's surface.

Synonyms

aplitic
vsaphanitic
  • Specialized
9.9

Showing very small, even grains often in thin light bands in granite

is the general texture term for igneous rocks with crystals too small to see

How Fine-Grained

aphanitic
  • Specialized
9.9
fine-grained
1 4.4

Surface Forms

aphanitic positive

Morphology

aphanitic = aphanite (opaque) = aphanite + ic

The term is built from specialized geological vocabulary (aphanite) plus the adjective suffix -ic; the components are obscure to most learners and do not allow easy inference of meaning.

Etymology

The word aphanitic comes from Greek parts a- 'not' and phanēs 'visible' or 'to appear'. A helpful memory is the same root appears in phantom, which is something you cannot see. So aphanitic describes rocks whose crystals are too small to be seen with the eye.