different between granodiorite vs tonalite

English

Etymology

From granite +? diorite.

Noun

granodiorite (plural granodiorites)

1. (petrology) An intrusive igneous rock similar to granite, but containing more plagioclase than potassium feldspar.
   • 1996, Bart N. Ekwueme, Alfred Kröner, Emplacement Age of the Uwet Granodiorite and Implications for the Technothermal Evolution of the Oban Massif Southeastern Nigeria, R. Chandra, R.K. Srivastava (editors), Magmatism in Relation to Diverse Tectonic Settings, page 346,

     The dominant intruding rocks into the metamorphosed rocks of the Oban massif are granodiorites (Fig. 1).

   • 2011, Dougal Jerram, Nick Petford, The Field Description of Igneous Rocks, unnumbered page,

     Most of the rocks in the calc-alkaline association are granitoids, that is they are granites, granodiorites and tonalites all containing >20% quartz, with feldspar, mica and amphibole in various combinations (Chapter 3, Figures 3.10 and 3.11).

Derived terms

• granodioritic

Translations

English

Etymology

Tonale +? -ite

Noun

tonalite (countable and uncountable, plural tonalites)

1. (geology) An igneous, plutonic rock composed mainly of plagioclase.
2. (geology, dated) Quartz diorite.