Made from mafic series Mafic series refers to a class of igneous rocks that are classified based on their mineral composition and texture. These rocks are made up predominantly of minerals that are rich in magnesium and iron and have a low silicon content. The rocks in the mafic series are also known as basic rocks. The main minerals found in mafic rocks are pyroxene and olivine, with smaller amounts of plagioclase feldspar. The texture of these rocks is generally fine-grained, meaning that individual mineral grains are not easily visible to the naked eye. Mafic rocks are formed from magma that is rich in iron and magnesium.
The cooling behaviour of intermediate magmas lie somewhere between those of mafic and felsic magmas. Typical intermediate rocks are diorite and andesite (Figure 3.13).
The means that the overall composition of the magma near the top of the magma chamber will become more felsic, as it is losing some iron- and magnesium-rich components. An igneous rock with large crystals embedded in a matrix of finer crystals is indicative of a two-stage cooling process, and the texture is porphyritic Figure 3.
Mafic rocks are formed from magma that is rich in iron and magnesium. This magma tends to be more fluid and less viscous than the magma that forms felsic rocks, which are rich in silicon and aluminum. As a result, mafic magmas can flow more easily and tend to erupt from volcanoes more gently.
3.3 Crystallization of Magma
The minerals that make up igneous rocks crystallize at a range of different temperatures. This explains why a cooling magma can have some crystals within it and yet remain predominantly liquid. The sequence in which minerals crystallize from a magma is known as the Bowen reaction series (Figure 3.10 and Who was Bowen).
Of the common silicate minerals, olivine normally crystallizes first, at between 1200° and 1300°C. As the temperature drops, and assuming that some silica remains in the magma, the olivine crystals react (combine) with some of the silica in the magma (see Box 3.1) to form pyroxene. As long as there is silica remaining and the rate of cooling is slow, this process continues down the discontinuous branch: olivine to pyroxene, pyroxene to amphibole, and (under the right conditions) amphibole to biotite.
At about the point where pyroxene begins to crystallize, plagioclase feldspar also begins to crystallize. At that temperature, the plagioclase is calcium-rich (anorthite) (see Figure 2.15). As the temperature drops, and providing that there is sodium left in the magma, the plagioclase that forms is a more sodium-rich variety.
Figure 3.10 The Bowen reaction series describes the process of magma crystallization [SE]
There are several different types of rocks that fall within the mafic series. Basalt is one of the most common types of mafic rock and is typically found on the ocean floor. Gabbro is another common type of mafic rock and is often found forming the cores of mountains. Dolerite and diabase are other examples of mafic rocks. Mafic rocks have several important uses in both industry and everyday life. Basalt, for example, is often crushed to create construction materials such as concrete and asphalt. Gabbro is commonly used as a decorative stone for countertops and tiles. The high iron content of mafic rocks also makes them a valuable source of iron ore. In conclusion, the mafic series refers to a class of igneous rocks that are rich in magnesium and iron and have a low silicon content. These rocks are formed from magma that is less viscous and more fluid than the magma that forms felsic rocks. The mafic series includes rocks such as basalt, gabbro, dolerite, and diabase, and they have various uses in industry and everyday life..
Reviews for "Cutting-Edge Technologies in the Extraction and Processing of Mafic Series Minerals"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Made from mafic series". The characters were underdeveloped and the plot was slow and uninteresting. I felt like I was slogging through the pages, hoping that something exciting would happen, but it never did. The writing style was also very dry and lacked the descriptive language that would have brought the story to life. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
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3. Mark - 3 stars - I found "Made from mafic series" to be average at best. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters also felt one-dimensional and it was hard to connect with them emotionally. While there were some moments of intrigue, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the book. I wouldn't necessarily dissuade others from reading it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either.