LAMPROPHYRE Meaning and
Definition
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Lamprophyre is a word derived from the Greek terms "lampros" meaning bright or shining, and "phyros" meaning fire or flame. It is a noun used in geology and petrology to describe a rare type of igneous rock that is predominantly dark in color with a distinctive, often shiny appearance due to the presence of minerals such as biotite, amphibole, or pyroxene.
Lamprophyres are characterized by their fine-grained texture and typically consist of a groundmass containing microscopic minerals, along with scattered phenocrysts that are larger and more visible to the naked eye. The groundmass itself is usually dark in color, often appearing black or dark green. These rocks commonly have a porphyritic texture, displaying a variety of mineral crystals within a fine-grained matrix.
Lamprophyres are usually found in association with other volcanic rocks, such as basalts or shales, and are often associated with areas of crustal extension or where magma has intruded into preexisting rocks. They typically form in small, narrow dikes or veins, sometimes cutting across larger intrusive bodies. Lamprophyres have a relatively low silica content, making them intermediate in composition between mafic and felsic rocks.
Due to their distinctive appearance and composition, lamprophyres are of interest to geologists for studying the processes and conditions under which they form. They can provide valuable insights into the geological history and magmatic processes associated with the formation of igneous rocks.
Common Misspellings for LAMPROPHYRE
- kamprophyre
- pamprophyre
- oamprophyre
- lzmprophyre
- lsmprophyre
- lwmprophyre
- lqmprophyre
- lanprophyre
- lakprophyre
- lajprophyre
- lamorophyre
- lamlrophyre
- lam0rophyre
- lampeophyre
- lampdophyre
- lampfophyre
- lamptophyre
- lamp5ophyre
- lamp4ophyre
- lampriphyre
Etymology of LAMPROPHYRE
The word "lamprophyre" has Greek origins. It is a combination of two Greek words: "lampros", meaning "shining" or "brilliant", and "phyros", meaning "fire" or "flame". The term "lamprophyre" was first used by geologists to describe a group of igneous rocks that exhibit a bright, shiny appearance due to the presence of numerous small crystals of minerals such as biotite, amphibole, or pyroxene. Hence, the name reflects the characteristic appearance of these rocks.
