In Bowen's discontinuous reaction series,the first mineral to crystallize from a mafic melt is ________.
A)olivine
B)plagioclase
C)pyroxene
D)quartz

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bowen's discontinuous reaction series predicts that olivine is the first mineral to crystallize from a mafic melt as it has the highest melting temperature among the minerals in this series. As the melt cools, olivine crystals will form first and settle to the bottom of the magma chamber, leaving behind a more silica-rich melt which favors the crystallization of the next mineral in the series, pyroxene.

In Bowen's Discontinuous Reaction Series,the First Mineral to Crystallize from a Mafic