Dissimilarity of Continental and Oceanic Rock Types

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Abstract
Recent papers, cite the similarity of rocks, particularly andesites, in continental and oceanic regions, but the similarity is primarily one of name. The oceanic ‘andesites’ belong to the alkaline suite, whereas the typical continental andesitesare calc alkaline and hypersthene-or hornblende-bearing. To avoid further confusion it is suggested that the name ‘andesite’ for the oceanic rocks be replaced by the names hawaiite and mugearite. Whatever name is used, it is essential to emphasize the difference between the oceanic ‘andesites’ and the andesites of continental orogenic regions. All members of the oceanic suite are present also in continental regions, but the calc alkaline rocks characteristic of orogenic regions on the continents are absent within the true ocean basins, except in island arcs near the continets that were formerly regarded as the continental border.

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