mafic
adjective
- describes rocks low in silica
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈmafɪk/ / /ˈmeɪfɪk/ / /ˈmæfɪk/
adj
Etymology: Blend of magnesium + ferric.
- Describing rocks, such as silicate minerals, magmas, and volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, which contain relatively high concentrations of magnesium and iron.
“Much of the southern half of the southeastern body is a mafic syenite, slightly more felsic than the shonkinite.”
“As a whole, rocks of this type are referred to as mafic, because of the importance of magnesium and iron in their composition.”
noun
Etymology: Blend of magnesium + ferric.
- A rock with such properties.