Diorite and Andesite


Diorite and andesite are similar rocks. They have the same mineral composition and occur in the same geographic areas. The differences are in their grain sizes and their rates of cooling. Diorite crystallized slowly within the Earth. That slow cooling produced a coarse grain size. Andesite forms when a similar magma crystallizes quickly at Earth’s surface. That rapid cooling produces a rock with small crystals.

igneous rock compositions
Igneous rock compositions: This chart illustrates the generalized mineral composition of igneous rocks. It shows that diorites and andesites are composed mainly of plagioclase feldspar, amphiboles, and micas; sometimes with minor amounts of orthoclase, quartz, or pyroxene.

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