ANORTHOSITE Meaning and
Definition
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Anorthosite is a type of coarse-grained igneous rock predominantly composed of plagioclase feldspar. This rock is characterized by its high abundance of plagioclase crystals, typically composed of a calcium-rich variety known as labradorite or bytownite. Anorthosites are typically light-colored, usually whitish or gray in appearance, and exhibit a glistening and reflective surface due to the presence of these large plagioclase crystals.
These rocks are primarily formed as intrusive igneous rocks, meaning they originate from magma that solidifies beneath the Earth's surface, specifically within the lower crust or uppermost mantle. Anorthosites are commonly associated with large-scale plutonic bodies, referred to as anorthosite massifs, which are intrusive complexes with extensive areas exhibiting anorthosite composition.
The formation of anorthosites is often associated with processes such as magma differentiation and fractional crystallization, where specific minerals crystallize at different temperatures, leading to the enrichment of plagioclase in the resulting rock. Due to their distinct composition, anorthosites are valuable in understanding the geodynamic processes involved in the formation of the Earth's continental crust.
Anorthosites have diverse applications, including their use as decorative stones, construction materials, and in the manufacturing of countertops and tiles. Additionally, anorthosites are of great interest to scientists studying planetary geology, as they are believed to be present in significant quantities on the Moon and other terrestrial bodies within our solar system.
Common Misspellings for ANORTHOSITE
- znorthosite
- snorthosite
- wnorthosite
- qnorthosite
- aborthosite
- amorthosite
- ajorthosite
- ahorthosite
- anirthosite
- ankrthosite
- anlrthosite
- anprthosite
- an0rthosite
- an9rthosite
- anoethosite
- anodthosite
- anofthosite
- anotthosite
- ano5thosite
- ano4thosite
Etymology of ANORTHOSITE
The word anorthosite has its origins in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word anorthos, which means oblique or not straight. This is a reference to the characteristic oblique cleavage or fabric often found in this type of igneous rock. The suffix ite is a common suffix used to indicate a mineral or rock type. Therefore, anorthosite can be translated to mean oblique rock or rock with oblique cleavage.
Similar spelling word for ANORTHOSITE
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