felsic
/ˈfɛlsɪk
/adjective Geology
Relating to or denoting a group of light-coloured minerals including feldspar, feldspathoids, quartz, and muscovite: felsic volcanic rocks...Often contrasted with mafic.
- The present day volumetric variation in the amount of mafic and felsic volcanic rocks preserved in the Parana and Etendeka provinces is interesting.
- The rocks of the complex show an overall trend of decreasing mafic minerals and increasing felsic minerals spatially from west to east.
- The alternating bands of mafic and felsic minerals are a striking and distinctive feature of all gneisses.
Origin
Early 20th century: from feldspar + a contraction of silica.