The discontinuous branch of Bowen's reaction series includes various compositions of plagioclase, from calcium-rich to sodium-rich.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discontinuous branch of Bowen's reaction series refers to the sequence of minerals that form through the cooling of magma, which includes olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite, each forming at different temperatures. The variation in plagioclase composition from calcium-rich to sodium-rich occurs in the continuous branch, not the discontinuous branch.

The Discontinuous Branch of Bowen's Reaction Series Includes Various Compositions