PHANEROCRYSTALLINE Meaning and
Definition
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Phanerocrystalline is an adjective used in the field of geology to describe a type of rock or mineral that has distinct visible crystals. Derived from the Greek word "phaneros," meaning manifest or visible, and the word "crystalline," which refers to the orderly arrangement of atoms in a solid, phanerocrystalline describes a rock or mineral with crystals that are large enough to be seen by the naked eye.
In phanerocrystalline rocks, the crystals are well-developed and easily distinguishable, allowing observers to identify their shape, size, and sometimes color. This texture is in contrast to aphanitic rocks, which have crystals that are too small to be individually visible without the use of a microscope.
The phanerocrystalline texture is commonly found in intrusive igneous rocks, which form from the slow cooling and solidification of magma deep within the Earth's crust. Examples of phanerocrystalline rocks include granite, diorite, and gabbro. These rocks often exhibit a coarse-grained texture, with the crystals ranging in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Phanerocrystalline rocks can provide valuable information about the history and processes that occurred within the Earth's crust. By studying the crystal size, arrangement, and composition, geologists can gain insights into the cooling rate of magma, the depth at which the rock formed, and potential tectonic activity in the area.
Common Misspellings for PHANEROCRYSTALLINE
- ohanerocrystalline
- lhanerocrystalline
- -hanerocrystalline
- 0hanerocrystalline
- pganerocrystalline
- pbanerocrystalline
- pnanerocrystalline
- pjanerocrystalline
- puanerocrystalline
- pyanerocrystalline
- phznerocrystalline
- phsnerocrystalline
- phwnerocrystalline
- phqnerocrystalline
- phaberocrystalline
- phamerocrystalline
- phajerocrystalline
- phaherocrystalline
- phanwrocrystalline
- phansrocrystalline
Etymology of PHANEROCRYSTALLINE
The word "phanerocrystalline" is derived from the combination of two Greek root words: "phaneros" meaning "visible" or "manifest", and "krustallos" meaning "crystal".
The term "phanerocrystalline" is used in geology to describe a type of igneous rock texture. It refers to rocks composed of larger visible crystals embedded in a finer-grained matrix. The name is apt, as it conveys the visible nature of the crystals within the rock structure.
