content / earth_sciences / anorthsites
Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of Unknowns Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of the Unknown
Anorthsites
Anorthsites are coarse-grained, lightweight volcanic rocks thought to have been formed between 1 and 2 billion years ago. They are mainly composed of 'Plagioclase feldspar' - around 90% CaAl2Si2O8 and 10% NaAlSi3O8
They were first dicovered in Northern Labrador, Canada, and have now been identified in many locations - including on the Moon.
The origin of anorthosites is a major unsolved petrogenetic problem in igneous petrology. For most of the numerous types of anorthosite that occur on Earth (and on other planets as well), we cannot agree as to their parental magma compositions, the sources and methods of generation of these magmas, the mechanism of plagioclase accumulation, or their tectonic setting.
Source :Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Further info. Wikipedia
Show another (random) article
Suggestions for corrections and ideas for articles are welcomed : Get in touch!
Further resources :