Geologists studying magmatic differentiation had difficulty explaining the unexpectedly large volume of
A)andesite.
B)gabbro.
C)diorite.
D)granite.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Granite's large volume is challenging to explain through magmatic differentiation because it requires significant fractional crystallization and partial melting processes, which are not always easily observable or quantifiable in geological settings. This process involves the separation of a melt from earlier crystallized minerals, leading to a composition change in the remaining melt, which can eventually form large volumes of granite. This complexity and the conditions required for such extensive differentiation make granite a particularly intriguing subject for geologists.

Geologists Studying Magmatic Differentiation Had Difficulty Explaining the Unexpectedly Large