mafic

[ maf-ik ]

adjective

, Geology.

1. of or relating to rocks rich in dark, ferromagnesian minerals. Compare basic ( def 4 ), ultramafic.

mafic

/ măf′ĭk /

1. Relating to an igneous rock that contains a group of dark-colored minerals, composed chiefly of magnesium and iron.
2. Compare felsic

Word History and Origins

Origin of mafic¹

1910–15; ma(gnesium) + Latin f ( errum ) iron + -ic

Example Sentences

The group went on to take samples of rocks that are part of the Baltimore Mafic Complex, a band of intermittent outcroppings that extends from the metropolitan area northeast to the Pennsylvania line and was involved in the formation of the Appalachian Mountains.

From Washington Post

Today, some 419 million tons of this and less alkaline “mafic” wastes are produced annually.

From Science Magazine

In particular, the materials contain mafic components that seem to be dominated by a mixture of olivine and low-calcium pyroxene.

From Nature

This stuff is composed of sideromelane, a basaltic glass formed when mafic lava is quenched suddenly in water; some tiny wee pillows; plus palagonite and some other assorted things, all welded together into a solid mass.

From Scientific American

This marvelous mafic rock formed a thick sill above the soft sedimentary layers, and cooled slowly deep underground.

From Scientific American