Basaltic…? Felsic…? Porphyritic…? Confusion!

Felsite quarry at Mount Ararat (© en.ararat-stone.com)

That’s how I felt at times reading interesting things about volcanoes but had to skip those -ic words. So, I am trying to give you a simple overview on rock types produced by volcanoes… I can already hear the experts groan: omg, “petrology” and “simple” are the two most antagonistic terms in the world! 😉 Nevertheless, I know all too well our typical skip-and-jump motion when it comes to different lavas, just let’s try and achieve a broad understanding about what volcanoes bring up from the depth.

“How strangely Fogo burns, amidst an ocean full of flying fishes”

Fogo – aerial shot taken from an Airbus cockpit 2008. Photo by Aldo Bien, Wikipedia.