Latite

Latite is an igneous, volcanic (extrusive) rock, with aphanitic-aphyric to aphyric-porphyritic texture. Its mineral assemblage is usually alkali feldspar and plagioclase (in a ratio < 1:4). Quartz is absent in a feldspathoid-bearing latite, and olivine is absent in a quartz-bearing latite. Biotite, hornblende, pyroxene and scarce olivine or quartz are common accessory minerals.

Additional recommended knowledge

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

How to quickly check pipettes?

Rhomb porphyries are an unusual variety with gray-white porphyritic rhomb shaped phenocrysts enbedded in a very fine grained red-brown matrix. The composition of rhomb porphyry places it in the trachyte - latite classification of the QAPF diagram.

See also

• list of rock types
• Porphyry