Bowen’s reaction series

E660634

Bowen’s reaction series is a conceptual model in geology that explains the sequence and conditions under which minerals crystallize from cooling magma.

Try in SPARQL Jump to: Statements Referenced by

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf geological model
petrological concept
appliesTo felsic magma
intermediate magma
mafic magma
assumes equilibrium between crystals and melt during cooling
basedOn laboratory crystallization experiments
continuousBranchOrder Ca-rich plagioclase → Na-rich plagioclase
describes order of mineral formation in igneous rocks
relationship between temperature and mineral stability in magmas
sequence of mineral crystallization from cooling magma
developedBy Norman L. Bowen NERFINISHED
developedIn early 20th century
discontinuousBranchOrder olivine → pyroxene → amphibole → biotite
field geology
igneous petrology
hasComponent continuous reaction series
discontinuous reaction series
hasLimitation does not fully account for volatile-rich magmas
idealized equilibrium conditions rarely fully met in nature
simplifies complex magmatic processes
highTemperatureEndMember olivine
illustrates fractional crystallization
magmatic differentiation pathways
includesMineral amphibole
biotite
muscovite
olivine
orthoclase feldspar
plagioclase feldspar
pyroxene
quartz
influences classification of igneous rocks
lowTemperatureEndMember quartz
namedAfter Norman L. Bowen NERFINISHED
relatesTo felsic igneous rocks
intermediate igneous rocks
mafic igneous rocks
shows high-temperature minerals crystallize first
low-temperature minerals crystallize last
systematic change in mineral composition with falling temperature
taughtIn introductory geology courses
petrology courses
usedFor explaining formation of different igneous rock types
interpreting igneous rock textures
predicting mineral assemblages in igneous rocks
understanding magmatic differentiation

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Norman L. Bowen knownFor Bowen’s reaction series