Tholeiitic magma series

The tholeiitic magma series is one of two main <a href="/facts/Magma_series/xFE6yF7W">magma series</a> in <a href="/facts/Subalkaline_igneous_rocks/ID3oPwtM">subalkaline igneous rocks</a>, the other being the <a href="/facts/Calc-alkaline_magma_series/fW9qn0oc">calc-alkaline</a> series. A magma series is a chemically distinct range of magma compositions that describes the evolution of a <a href="/facts/Mafic/mVL7Ahuw">mafic</a> magma into a more evolved, silica rich end member. Rock types of the tholeiitic magma series include tholeiitic basalt, ferro-basalt, <a href="/facts/Basaltic_andesite/E9oMfpgn">tholeiitic basaltic andesite</a>, <a href="/facts/Andesite/AMVbAGJ0">tholeiitic andesite</a>, <a href="/facts/Dacite/Cd4vGJlI">dacite</a> and <a href="/facts/Rhyolite/yKeR5Lut">rhyolite</a>. The variety of basalt in the series was originally called tholeiite but the <a href="/facts/International_Union_of_Geological_Sciences/NfRap9FD">International Union of Geological Sciences</a> recommends that tholeiitic basalt be used in preference to that term.
Tholeiitic rock types tend to be more enriched in iron and less enriched in magnesium and aluminium than calc-alkaline rock types. They are thought to form in a less oxidized environment than calc-alkaline rocks. Tholeiitic basalt is formed at <a href="/facts/Mid-ocean_ridges/wYdgdSW3">mid-ocean ridges</a> and makes up much of the oceanic crust. Almost all the basalt found on the Moon is tholeiitic basalt.

Tholeiitic magma series open-in-new

Tholeiitic magma series