🪨 Light rock 🪨 Light igneous

felsic

1 9.0

A light-colored igneous rock or magma high in silica and rich in quartz and feldspar

noun
/ˈfɛlsɪk/

Specialized

: roca felsica

The geologist identified the sample as a felsic based on its light color and mineral content.

Examples

During the eruption, the volcano released both felsic and mafic materials.
Many continental crust rocks are classified as felsic due to their high silica levels.
The geologist identified the rock as felsic.
Many felsic rocks contain significant amounts of quartz.
The geologist identified the sample as a felsic rock due to its high silica content and light coloration.
Many continental crust rocks are classified as felsic because they contain abundant quartz and feldspar.
In geology classes, students learn to recognize felsic rocks by their distinctive light color and mineral composition.

Antonyms

mafic

Specialized

1 8.6

A dark rock or mineral like basalt that is rich in iron and magnesium

How Silica-Rich

felsic

Specialized

1 9.0

intermediate

45 3.6

mafic

Specialized

1 8.6

Surface Forms

felsic singular

felsics plural

Morphology

felsic = feldspar + silica (opaque) = fel + sic

The word is a specialized blend built from clipped parts of 'feldspar' and 'silica', so its meaning is not directly recoverable for an average learner.

Etymology

A felsic as a noun is named from feldspar and silica, so it means a 'light-coloured' rock or melted rock that is high in those minerals and therefore pale and rich in silica.