tholeiite

English

Etymology

From German Tholeiit, from Tholei (“a village in western Germany”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈθoʊ.li.aɪt/
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈθəʊ.lɪ.ʌɪt/

Noun

tholeiite (plural tholeiites)

  1. (geology) An igneous basaltic rock, formed from magma rich in magnesium and iron.
    • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 51n:
      Correctly speaking, Hawaiian basalt is not just basalt, but is a special variety enriched in silica known as tholeiite.

Derived terms
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