Melting Rocks

Question
Does

a rocks melt like an ice cube, all at the

same time?

Melting Rocks
Rocks

melt according to their melting points.

Example:
Which

This

Ice cube with wax

would melt first ice or wax?

example is known as partial melting.

Partial

Melting: some minerals melt at lower

temperatures and other minerals remain solid
Think of stew

Fractional Crystallization
Opposite

of Partial Melting
Last to melt are first to solidify (crystallize)

Bowens Reaction Series

N.L.

Bowen

Canadian
1900s
Stated

that as magma cools, minerals form in

predictable patterns
Known as Bowens Reaction Series

Bowens Reaction Series

Two

Branches

Feldspars
Continuous,

gradual change of mineral

compositions

Iron-Rich
An

Minerals

abrupt change of mineral type

Bowens Reaction Series

Feldspars
Continuous

Change
First Feldspars are
rich in Calcium (Ca)
Sodium (Na)
increases as cooling
continues
Last Feldspars to
form are Sodium rich
(Na)

Iron Rich Minerals

Discontinuous Change
Magnesium (Mg) cools
around 18000C, when
olivine crystallizes, this
continous up to 15570C.
Now Pyroxene begins to
form. All olivine that was
formed is now turned to
pyroxene
Quartz is the last to form,
because silica and oxygen
are the last to crystallize

Why do we find Olivine?

Amongst the common rock forming minerals Felspathoid minerals

containing less % of silica are also present which are usually allied
with Feldspars
Nepheline
(Silicate of sodium
and aluminium=>Albite
Leucite
(Silicate of potassium
and aluminium=>Orthoclase