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Porphyry

A rock subtype
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About PorphyryHide

Not a root name, but a texturally based name for any rock with coarse phenocrysts in a finer groundmass. Most commonly used for felsic rocks such as rhyolites, granites, etc.

An igneous rock of any composition that contains conspicuous phenocrysts in a fine-grained groundmass; a porphyritic igneous rock. The term (from the Ancient Greek word πορφύρα (porphyra) for the colour purple and a purple dye) was first applied to a purple-red rock quarried in Egypt and characterized by phenocrysts of alkali feldspar. The rock name descriptive of the groundmass composition commonly precedes the term; e.g., diorite porphyry, although the reverse is better, e.g. porphyritic diorite. In many cases the main phenocryst minerals precede the name, e.g., quartz porphyry or quartz-feldspar porphyry, where the classification is uncertain.

Porphyries often host so-called porphyry deposits.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
48434
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:48434:1

Classification of PorphyryHide

Sub-divisions of PorphyryHide

Mineralogy of PorphyryHide

Non-essential minerals - these minerals are common, sometimes major components, but are not always present:
FeldsparA petrological term for Feldspar Group.
MicaA petrological term for Mica Group.
Mica > BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Silica > QuartzSiO2

Age distributionHide

Recorded ages:
Phanerozoic : 290 Ma to 20.02 ± 3.64 Ma - based on 7 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
Sample IDRecorded ageGeologic TimeDating method
122.51 ± 0.62 to 20.02 ± 3.64 MaMioceneRb-Sr
2134 ± 7 MaEarly/Lower CretaceousK-Ar
3135 ± 3 MaEarly/Lower CretaceousRb-Sr
4189.8 ± 0.2 MaEarly JurassicAr-Ar
5204 MaLate/Upper Triassic
6290 to 270 MaPermian
Sample references:
IDLocalityReferenceNotes
1Haast River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand
2Kahusi Complex, Kalehe Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
3Nianzishan, Longjiang County, Qiqihaer, Heilongjiang, China
4Tongshi complex, Pingyi County, Linyi, Shandong, ChinaAr/Ar plateau for quartz monzonitic porphyry.
5Hekanzi Mo deposit, Lingyuan City, Chaoyang, Liaoning, ChinaGranite porphyry which intrudes the complex
6Wulashan Au deposit, Wulashan mining district, Binhe New District, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China

Synonyms of PorphyryHide

Other Language Names for PorphyryHide

French:Porphyre
German:Porphyr

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Porphyry associated with Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
1 photo of Porphyry associated with 'Granodiorite'
1 photo of Porphyry associated with Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
1 photo of Porphyry associated with Hornblende Root Name Group◻Ca2(C2+4C3+)(AlSi7O22)W2
1 photo of Porphyry associated with 'Dolerite'
1 photo of Porphyry associated with QuartzSiO2
1 photo of Porphyry associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
1 photo of Porphyry associated with 'Microdiorite'
1 photo of Porphyry associated with Chlorite Group
1 photo of Porphyry associated with Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3

Internet Links for PorphyryHide

References for PorphyryHide

Reference List:

Localities for PorphyryHide

Showing 3,590 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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