Andesite is Intermediate volcanic rocks containing 54 to 62 percent silica and moderate amounts of iron and magnesium. Andesite minerals commonly include plagioclase and hornblende, with lesser amounts of mica, pyroxene, and various accessory minerals. Andesites are aphanitic in texture and are usually medium dark in color. They occur with composite volcanic cones associated with convergent plate margins.
Andesite can be considered as the extrusive equivalent of plutonic diorite. Characteristic of subduction zones, andesite represents the dominant rock type in island arcs. The average composition of the continental crust is andesitic. Along with basalts they are a major component of the Martian crust. The name andesite is derived from the Andes mountain range.
