The Primary Mineral in Volcanic Arcs

What is the number one mineral in volcanic arcs?

a) Quartz
b) Feldspar
c) Mica
d) Garnet

Final answer:

The primary mineral in volcanic arcs is Feldspar, due to its early crystallization at high temperatures during the cooling process.

Explanation:

The number one mineral in volcanic arcs is Feldspar. Feldspar crystallizes early at high temperatures during the cooling process, which is common in volcanic arcs. It often forms large crystals due to the gradual cooling of magma intrusions below the Earth's surface. Although quartz is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust, it crystallizes later, filling in the spaces left by earlier minerals such as feldspar.

Both Feldspar and quartz are silicate minerals, comprising the majority of the Earth's crust. However, when it comes to volcanic arcs, Feldspar has a slight edge due to the conditions and processes involved. It's worth noting that the mineral content can vary depending on the exact geological conditions of each specific volcanic arc.