groundmass

• Terme géologique désignant le matériau cristallin à grain fin qui forme la matrice dans laquelle sont dispersés les cristaux plus gros d'une roche magmatique.

A geological term referring to the fine-grained crystalline material that forms the matrix in which larger crystals are embedded in an igneous rock.

indénombrable

1. Geological matrixC2formalscientific

   The fine-grained crystalline material in which larger crystals are embedded in igneous rocks.

   Mésostase (matrice)

   • The groundmass of the basalt contains tiny crystals of feldspar.
   • Geologists study the groundmass to understand the cooling history of the rock.
   • Phenocrysts are often surrounded by a finer groundmass in porphyritic textures.

   Synonymesbasematrix