What are felsic rocks?

Felsic rocks are like the strong, light-colored parts of Earth’s crust, think of them as the “white bread” of the planet.

Imagine you have a big box of crayons. Felsic rocks are made from crayons that are pale and bright, like yellow, pink, or white. These colors come from minerals such as quartz and feldspar, the main ingredients in these kinds of rocks. They're usually found in places where Earth’s crust has been pushed up or pulled apart, like mountain ranges.

Felsic rocks are lighter than other types of rocks because they have fewer heavy minerals. This is kind of like how a balloon filled with air floats, it's lighter than a balloon filled with sand. These rocks often form when molten rock cools slowly, giving them time to grow big, pretty crystals inside.

You might even find felsic rocks in your backyard, granite is a common example! It’s the stuff that makes up many sidewalks and countertops. So next time you see a smooth, light-colored stone, remember: it's part of Earth’s light, strong layer, the felsic rocks! Felsic rocks are like the strong, light-colored parts of Earth’s crust, think of them as the “white bread” of the planet.

Imagine you have a big box of crayons. Felsic rocks are made from crayons that are pale and bright, like yellow, pink, or white. These colors come from minerals such as quartz and feldspar, the main ingredients in these kinds of rocks. They're usually found in places where Earth’s crust has been pushed up or pulled apart, like mountain ranges.