groundmass

« Back to Glossary Index

General term from the fine-grained, not discernible part of a rock. In igneous rocks, this is the part of the rock that is not phenocrysts, and can help in determining the composition of extrusive rocks. In sedimentary rocks, it typically refers to the fine-grained components, namely mud. In metamorphic rocks, it is usually referring to material between porphyroblasts or a low-grade rock with only microscopic mineralization.

« Back to Glossary Index

Author: Chris

Associate Professor, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah