Compare and contrast the four classifications of igneous rocks
based on composition.
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The four classifications of igneous rocks are felsic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic. The comparison between them based on composition are as follows:
Felsic
Felsic rocks contain silicate minerals and magma. They contain higher amounts of lighter elements such as oxygen, aluminum, potassium, sodium, etc.
Intermediate
Intermediate rocks have a roughly mixed composition of felsic and mafic rocks. Intermediate rocks are composed of mainly quartz and plagioclase.
Mafic
These rocks have a rich content of magnesium and ferric oxides. They contain silicates, olivine, mica, and amphibole.
Ultramafic
They are formed by the metamorphism of the rocks formed from magma. They mainly contain magnesium, silicon, iron, calcium, and aluminum.
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