Which rock texture is characterized by large, visible mineral components?

The phaneritic texture is characterized by large, visible mineral components that can be identified with the naked eye. This texture occurs in igneous rocks that cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing the minerals to crystallize and grow to a significant size. As a result, rocks with this texture, such as granite, exhibit a coarse-grained appearance, making it easy to distinguish individual mineral grains.

In contrast, aphanitic texture features smaller crystals that are not easily distinguishable without the aid of a microscope, typically resulting from rapid cooling of magma at or near the surface. Porphyritic texture involves two distinct crystal sizes, indicating a complex cooling history but still includes sizable crystals amid a finer-grained matrix. Glassy texture, typical of obsidian and formed from rapid cooling, lacks any crystal structure altogether, resulting in a smooth, glass-like appearance.

Thus, phaneritic texture stands out for its large, visible mineral components, confirming its designation in this context.