|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
groundmass
groundmass The finer-grained material of igneous rocks in which larger crystals (phenocrysts) and xenoliths are enclosed. The groundmass of an igneous rock commonly represents that part of the magma system which has cooled rapidly. Rapid cooling initiates numerous crystal nucleation sites which limit the size to which crystals can grow. In lavas, the fine ground-mass is formed when the magma is erupted on to the Earth's surface and is cooled rapidly by air convection over the flow. Compare MATRIX.
|
|
|
Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "groundmass." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "groundmass." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-groundmass.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "groundmass." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-groundmass.html |
|
groundmass
groundmass see porphyry . |
|
|
Cite this article
"groundmass." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "groundmass." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-groundma.html "groundmass." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-groundma.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
