Pyroclastic flows or Clouds and Surges Guide
Pyroclastic flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), or pyroclastic clouds are dense, ground-hugging, hot gases laden with volcanic debris racing down
Michael Smith
Andesite Rock Composition and Formation
Andesite is an intermediate volcanic or extrusive igneous rock. Intermediate rocks are moderate in silica (52-63 wt.%), mafic, and felsic
Andesitic Magma Formation and Eruption
Andesitic magma or lava has an intermediate composition with moderate silica content between 57 and 63 wt. %. Its composition
8 Magma and Lava Types and Their Characteristics
Magma refers to hot, molten, or semi-molten rocks under the Earth’s surface, while lava refers to magma that makes it
Understanding Ultramafic Rocks, Magmas or Minerals
Ultramafic is a common term in geology, GEOsciences, Earth sciences, or geography. It is commonly used in igneous rocks, their
Coarse-Grained or Phaneritic Texture
The coarse-grained or phaneritic texture is an igneous rock texture in which you can see and distinguish individual minerals without
Carbonatites Composition and Formation
Carbonatites are uncommon and strange igneous rocks with more than 50% carbonate minerals by volume and less than 20 wt.
Understanding Intermediate Magmas and Lavas
To understand intermediate magmas and lavas well and their characteristics, you need to know their composition lies between mafic and
Insolation or Thermal Expansion Weathering
Insolation or thermal expansion weathering refers to rock breakdown that happens when rocks contract and expand. Some authors call it
Slaking or Wetting and Drying Weathering
Wetting and drying or slaking is an example of mechanical or physical weathering. It occurs when rocks exposed to the