Phonolites

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of volcanic rock characterized by its fine-grained texture and high content of feldspar and quartz
2. This rock is often associated with alkaline magmas and can exhibit a wide range of colors and compositions
3. Typically found in volcanic regions, this rock type is notable for its distinctive sound when struck due to its density and structure

Etymology: Strike a slab of this rock with a hammer and it rings like a bell, which is why geologists named it for sound. The name combines the Greek "phōnē," meaning "sound" or "voice," with "lithos," meaning "stone," so the word literally means "sounding stone." The metallic ring comes from its dense, fine-grained crystals, which vibrate when struck. "Phonolites" is simply the plural of "phonolite," used when speaking of several rock samples or several bodies of this rock.