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Geology Enthusiasts: Andesite Basics

Andesite is an extrusive volcanic rock that is intermediate in composition between rhyolite and basalt. It forms thick lava flows and domes as the lava has moderate viscosity. Andesite lava is common in the Andes Mountains in South America, where the rock type gets its name. Andesite is the volcanic equivalent of the plutonic rock diorite.

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278 views1 page

Geology Enthusiasts: Andesite Basics

Andesite is an extrusive volcanic rock that is intermediate in composition between rhyolite and basalt. It forms thick lava flows and domes as the lava has moderate viscosity. Andesite lava is common in the Andes Mountains in South America, where the rock type gets its name. Andesite is the volcanic equivalent of the plutonic rock diorite.

Uploaded by

Irwan EP
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Andesite

Andesite is an extrusive rock intermediate in composition between rhyolite and basalt.


Andesite lava is of moderate viscosity and forms thick lava flows and domes. The word
andesite is derived from the Andes Mountains in South America, where andesite is common.
Andesite is the volcanicequivalent of diorite.
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andesite
Group - volcanic.
Colour - variable, but typically bluish-grey or grey (lighter coloured than
basalt).
Texture - porphyritic.
Mineral content - groundmass generally of pyroxene ( augite)
and plagioclase, possibly with minor amounts of amphibole ( hornblende)
and glass; phenocrysts of plagioclase and often pyroxene,
occasionally olivine or amphibole.
Silica (SiO 2) content - 52%-63%.
Uses - can be used as aggregate, fill etc. in the construction and roading
industries (often not ideal for concrete aggregate because of high silica
content).
New Zealand occurrences - West Auckland (Waitakere Range),
Coromandel Peninsula, Great and Little Barrier Islands, Western Bay of
Plenty (Kaimai Range), Raglan-Kawhia area (Karioi, Pirongia), Taranaki,
Central North Island

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