aporhyolite
|a-por-rhy-o-lite|
/ˌæpəˈraɪəlaɪt/
rhyolite without phenocrysts
Etymology
'aporhyolite' originates from Greek elements: the privative prefix 'a-' (meaning 'not' or 'without') combined with 'rhyolite' (from Greek roots related to flow and stone: 'rhy-' from Greek 'rhuō'/'rhy-' meaning 'to flow' and 'lithos' meaning 'stone').
'aporhyolite' arose in modern geological usage as a compound/derivative of 'rhyolite' with the privative 'a-' to denote an aphyric (phenocryst-poor) variety. It parallels earlier descriptive phrases such as 'aphyric rhyolite' which were later condensed into the single term.
Originally used to describe rocks noted specifically for being 'rhyolitic but without phenocrysts' (i.e., aphyric rhyolites); the term has retained that specialized meaning in geological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a type of igneous (volcanic) rock of rhyolitic (silica-rich) composition that is aphyric — i.e., it lacks conspicuous phenocrysts and is typically fine-grained or glassy in texture.
The lava flow cooled to form an aporhyolite with a glassy groundmass and no visible phenocrysts.
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Adjective 1
of or relating to aporhyolite; having the characteristics of an aporhyolite (e.g., aphyric, fine-grained rhyolitic texture).
Geologists described the sample as aporhyolitic in texture.
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Last updated: 2025/09/21 12:50