tholeiite

English

Etymology

From German Tholeiit, from Tholei (“a village in western Germany”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈθoʊ.li.aɪt/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈθəʊ.lɪ.ʌɪt/

Noun

tholeiite (plural tholeiites)

1. (geology) An igneous basaltic rock, formed from magma rich in magnesium and iron.
   • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 51n:

     Correctly speaking, Hawaiian basalt is not just basalt, but is a special variety enriched in silica known as tholeiite.

Derived terms

• tholeiitic