N.L.
Bowen
in
the
early
part
of
this
century
proposed
a
mechanism
now
called
the
Bowen's
Reaction
Series
to
account
for
the
production
of
different
rocks
from
one
basaltic
magma.
As
the
magma
cools,
crystals
rich
in
calcium,
iron
and
magnesium
form
first
and
those
with
silicon
and
oxygen
last.
The
reaction
series
also
explains
how
some
rocks
weather
faster
than
others.
Those
containing
iron,
magnesium
and
calcium
weather
faster
than
quartz
the
last
mineral
to
survive
weathering
processes.
