Phonolite

• Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
  • n Phonolite (Min) A compact, feldspathic, igneous rock containing nephelite, haüynite, etc. Thin slabs give a ringing sound when struck; -- called also clinkstone.
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• • n phonolite The name given by Klaproth to certain volcanic rocks of exceedingly variable and complex character, but closely related to the trachytes. The essential constituents of phonolite are sanidine and nephelin, and some authors restrict the name to rocks having this composition. Rocks containing sanidine and leucite are called by Rosenbusch levcite-phonolites, varieties of which pass into or are closely-allied with leucitophyre and leucite-basalt. Nosean and hailyne are often present in rocks of this class, and give names to varieties known as nosean-phonolite and haüynephonolite. Authors are by no means agreed in opinion with regard to the classification of the many varieties of nephelin and leucite rocks, which frequently pass into each other by insensible gradations. Boricky makes eight divisions of the phonolite family. With the essential constituents of the various phonolites are associated many accessory minerals, especially magnetite, as well as olivin, apatite, zircon, etc. Various zeolitic minerals are of frequent occurrence in the phonolites as alteration products. Phonolite is peculiarly a modern volcanic rock. Auvergne and Bohemia are localities in which it is found in various forms characteristic of volcanic action.
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• • n Phonolite clinkstone
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