Bilingual glossary of geology

Type of igneous texture in which large crystals (phenocrysts) are enclosed in a matrix (groundmass) of much finer-grained minerals. Porphyritic rocks generally result when a magma experiences two distinct phases of cooling.

Themes:
  Igneous rocks

Related words:
  Aphanitic
  Phaneritic
  Pegmatitic
  Vitreous (Texture; syn.: Glassy)
  Vesicular
  Pyroclastic
  Texture
  Intrusive (Igneous Rock; syn.: Plutonic)
  Extrusive (Igneous Rock; syn.: Volcanic)