: of, relating to, or being a group of usually dark-colored minerals rich in magnesium and iron
Examples of mafic in a Sentence
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The institution notes that Fuego's eruptions have become more mafic with time, meaning the volcano is expelling darker, denser lava with higher magnesium and iron content.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
However, there is a group of mafic eruptions that are high in magnesium and iron that also have that magnitude.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024
Kilauea releases mafic magma, and the temperature at eruption is about 2,140 degrees Fahrenheit.
—New York Times, 18 May 2018
Basalt is also derived from melting the mantle, but in that case, only 10 to 20 percent is typically melting thanks to fractional melting (the lowest temperature minerals melt first, leaving behind the more mafic minerals/elements).
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2016
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Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
However, there is a group of mafic eruptions that are high in magnesium and iron that also have that magnitude.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024
Kilauea releases mafic magma, and the temperature at eruption is about 2,140 degrees Fahrenheit.
—New York Times, 18 May 2018
Basalt is also derived from melting the mantle, but in that case, only 10 to 20 percent is typically melting thanks to fractional melting (the lowest temperature minerals melt first, leaving behind the more mafic minerals/elements).
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Mafic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mafic. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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