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Unit 3 - Rock Types

Igneous Rocks

Basic Rock Classifications

Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic

Igneous Rocks
An igneous rock is formed when magma or
lava cools and solidifies

Molten rock
in the Earth is magma
- Magma is buoyant, rises to surface, & sometimes
breaks through
Magma reaches Earths surface it is called lava

Igneous Rocks

Two types of igneous rocks


Plutonic/Intrusive cools
underground
Volcanic/Extrusive cools above
ground

Plutonic rocks
To see them, they must be uplifted to
surface
And softer surrounding rock eroded
away

Plutonic rocks
Volcanic necks
Shallow intrusion formed when magma
solidifies in throat of volcano

Plutonic rocks
Dikes
Tabular intrusive structure that cuts
across any layering in existing rock

Plutonic rocks
Sills
Tabular intrusive structure that parallels
layering in existing rock

Plutonic rocks
Plutons
Large, blob-shaped intrusive body formed
of coarse- grained igneous rock, commonly
granitic
Small plutons are called stocks,
large plutons are called batholiths

Geothermal Gradient
the rate at which temperature increases
with depth in the Earth
*important for the
formation of
igneous rocks

Igneous Rock Formation

As magma cools, atoms arrange in


an
orderly crystal structure

crystallization

Igneous Rock Classification

Igneous rocks are classified two


ways
1.Texture
2.Mineral composition

Igneous Rock Classification - Texture

Igneous Rock Classification - Texture

5 Types of Textures

1.Phaneritic (coarse-grained)
2.Aphanitic (fine-grained)
3.Glassy (compact and frothy)
4.Vesicular
5. Porphyritic

Textures - Phaneritic (coarse-grained)

forms far below surface


Slow Cooling Large Crystals
Examples: Gabbro, diorite,
and granite

Textures - Aphanitic (fine-grained)

fast cooling magma/lava


forms at or near surface
cant see individual
crystals (small)
Examples: Basalt, andesite, and rhyolite

Texture - Glassy (compact and frothy)

Very Rapid Cooling


No Crystal Structure
Example: Obsidian

Texture - Vesicular

Has many cavities at its surface and


inside
Forms from gas bubbles in the
magma
Example: Pumice
*Can be aphanitic vesicular or glassy vesicular rocks

Texture - Porphyritic

2 cooling stages: magma cooled


slowly for a while then erupted
and cooled quickly.
minerals crystallize at different
temperatures and or rates
Different sized crystals

Worksheet - Homework
Igneous Rock (Texture) Worksheet

Igneous Rock Classification

Igneous rocks are classified two


ways
1.Texture
2.Mineral composition

Igneous Rock Classification - Chemical


Composition
mainly silicate minerals
determined by composition of magma
from which it crystallized
magma mainly 8 elements:

Si, O, Al, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Fe


Al - light coloured

Mg - dark

Bowen's Reaction Series

The geologist N.L. Bowen (Norman)


found that minerals tend to form in
specific sequences in igneous rocks
These sequences are assembled
into
temperature gradient chart

Bowens Reaction Series

Igneous Mineral Composition Types

1.Mafic
2.Felsic
3.Intermediate
4.Ultramafic

Igneous Mineral Composition Types - Mafic


Have ~50% silica, by weight,
Contain dark colored minerals with iron,
magnesium and calcium
Examples: Intrusive/extrusive gabbro/basalt

Mafic Chemical Composition

Igneous Mineral Composition Types - Felsic


Have >65% silica, by weight,
Contain light-colored minerals that are
abundant in silica, aluminum, sodium
and potassium
Examples: Intrusive/extrusive granite/rhyolite

Felsic Chemical Composition

Igneous Mineral Composition Types Intermediate


rocks have silica between (50-65%) those
of mafic and felsic rocks
Examples: Intrusive/extrusive diorite/andesite

Intermediate Chemical Composition

Igneous Mineral Composition Types Ultramafic


Have the least amount of <45% silica, by
weight,
Are composed almost entirely of darkcolored ferromagnesian (Fe and Mg)
minerals
Example: peridotite (intrusive)

Special Note
Different minerals crystallize from magma at different
temperatures. (Bowens Reaction Series)
As minerals crystallize from magma the remaining
composition is forever changed.
Therefore, it is possible for more than one igneous
rock to form from the same magma depending on
the cooling environment.

Worksheet - Homework
Igneous Rock (Composition) Worksheet

Diamonds STSE - Kimberlite


What is a kimberlite?
kimberlite is a ultramafic, igneous rock
which occurs as small volcanic pipes,
dykes, and sills.
Kimberlite commonly contains inclusions of
ultramafic rocks.

Kimberlite and Diamonds

they are formed deep within the mantle, at are


erupted rapidly and violently,
It is this depth of melting and generation
which makes kimberlites prone to hosting
diamond xenocrysts.

Kimberlite indicators
formed under high pressure and temperature within
the mantle

Complete STSE
Complete Lab 4 Part 1

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