Definition

A type of volcanic rock that is mainly made up of a mineral called plagioclase and may also contain leucite or nepheline.

Example

Tephrite is often found in volcanic regions and is used in various geological studies.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of tephrite?

I think I've come across it in geology class, but I'm not sure what it is.

It's actually an igneous rock made up of plagioclase and either leucite or nephelite.

That sounds interesting! I should read more about tephrite for my next project.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tephrite originates from the Greek word 'tephra' (meaning ash), which refers to the volcanic ash that is a significant component of this type of rock. The suffix '-ite' is commonly used in mineralogy to denote a type of rock or mineral. Therefore, tephrite refers to a type of volcanic rock that contains ash.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tephra' meaning ash, which helps you remember that tephrite is a type of volcanic rock associated with ash.

Visually Confused Words