EQUIGRANULAR Meaning and
Definition
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Equigranular is an adjective that refers to a texture or composition characterized by having grains or crystals of equal size or approximately equal size. The term is commonly used in geology and petrology to describe rocks, specifically igneous and metamorphic rocks.
In igneous rocks, equigranular textures occur when the magma cools at a uniform rate, allowing the mineral crystals to form and grow evenly. This results in a rock with uniform grain size throughout, giving it a homogeneous appearance. Often, equigranular igneous rocks are fine-grained, with the individual mineral crystals being too small to distinguish with the naked eye.
Similarly, in metamorphic rocks, equigranular textures can develop when the rock undergoes strong and even pressure during the regional metamorphism process. Under these conditions, the original mineral grains recrystallize, creating a new set of minerals with consistent grain size.
Equigranular textures are commonly found in rocks such as granite, gabbro, and some types of schists. This uniformity in grain size can be useful for identifying and classifying rocks, as it can provide insights into the specific conditions under which they formed.
Overall, the term "equigranular" denotes the presence of grains or crystals that have similar sizes, resulting in a uniform texture or composition within a rock.
Common Misspellings for EQUIGRANULAR
- wquigranular
- squigranular
- dquigranular
- rquigranular
- 4quigranular
- 3quigranular
- e1uigranular
- e2uigranular
- ewuigranular
- eauigranular
- eqyigranular
- eqhigranular
- eqjigranular
- eqiigranular
- eq8igranular
- eq7igranular
- equugranular
- equjgranular
- equkgranular
- equogranular
Etymology of EQUIGRANULAR
The word "equigranular" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: "equi" meaning "equal" and "granum" meaning "seed" or "grain".
In geology and petrology, "equigranular" refers to the texture of rocks or minerals that have grains or crystals of similar size. The prefix "equi-" emphasizes the equal distribution or uniformity of these grains. Thus, "equigranular" describes a material with consistent or evenly-sized granules.
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