Anorthosite

Anorthosite

Igneous rock
Anorthosite from Salem district, Tamil Nadu
Composition
Primary	Plagioclase
Secondary	Mafic minerals

Anorthosite (pronunciation: /ænˈɔːrθəsaɪt/) is a phaneritic, intrusive igneous rock characterized by a predominance of plagioclase feldspar (90–100%), and a minimal mafic component (0–10%). Pyroxene, ilmenite, magnetite, and olivine are the mafic minerals most commonly present.

Anorthosite on Earth can be divided into two types: Proterozoic anorthosite (also known as massif or massif-type anorthosite) and Archean anorthosite. These two types of anorthosite have different modes of occurrence, appear to be restricted to different periods in Earth's history, and are thought to have had different origins.

Lunar anorthosites constitute the light-coloured areas of the Moon's surface and have been the subject of much research.

Proterozoic anorthosites were emplaced during the Proterozoic Eon (ca. 2,500–542 Ma).

Anorthosite plutons occur in a wide range of sizes. Some smaller plutons, exemplified by many anorthosite bodies in the U.S. and Harris in Scotland, cover only a few dozen square kilometres. Larger plutons, like the Mt. Lister Anorthosite, in northern Labrador, Canada, cover several thousands of square kilometres.