JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY, ~/'OL. 46, NO. 3, P.

595--603
FIGS. 1---6, SErTEMBER 1976
Copyright © 1976, The Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists

P E T R O G R A P H I C T E X T U R E S OF D E T R I T A L P O L Y C R Y S T A L L I N E
Q U A R T Z AS A N A I D T O I N T E R P R E T I N G
C R Y S T A L L I N E S O U R C E ROCKS 1

S T E V E N W. YOUNG *
Department of Geology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47401

ABSTRACT: The internal textures of detrital polycrystalline quartz can be used to distinguish
between polycrystalline quartz populations derived from different crystalline source rocks.
This is supported by the petrographic examination of the quartz fraction in 6.5 metamorphic
rocks with known metamorphic histories and the detrital polyerystalline quartz populations
in 57 samples of medium sand-size Holocene fluvial sand derived from known crystalline
source rocks.
Empirical observations by metamorphic petrologists have shown that quartz crystal sizes
increase systematically with increase in metamorphic grade of the rocks. Petrographic
examination of quartz crystals deformed in controlled laboratory experiments have shown
quartz responds to stress via a systematic series of processes : deformation, recovery, primary
reerystallization, and secondary recrystallization. Deformation is reflected optically by
undulose extinction, deformation lamellae and bands, elongated crystal units, and sutured
crystal-crystal boundaries. Recovery is recognized optically be segmented extinction (semi-
composite extinction) reflecting polygonization of the crystal. Primary recrystallization
occurs when strain-free areas surrounded by dislocation tangles form new crystals, and is
recognized optically by the presence of small (50 ~m), nonundulose crystals. Secondary
recrystallization develops large, nonundulose, strain-free polyhedral crystals with smooth
crystal-crystal boundaries.
Deformation, recovery, and primary recrystallization features characterize quartz in
greenschist-grade metamorphic rocks. Detrital quartz grains with these features are, for
the lack of a better term, called "unstable", reflecting the transformation from old crystals
to new, recrystallized crystals. Detrital polycrystalline quartz with features of secondary
recrystallization are called "stable" grains, and are derived from medium- to high-grade
metamorphic rocks. Detrital polycrystalline quartz grains derived from intrusive igneous
rocks are also characterized by "stable" features.
A plot of a polycrystallinity index (the ratio of detrital polycrystalline quartz with more
than 3 crystal units per grain to total detrital polycrystalline quartz) vs. an instability index
(the ratio of detrital polycrystalline quartz with "unstable" characteristics to total detrital
polycrystalline quartz) discriminates between medium sand-size polycrystalline quartz popu-
lations in Holocene sands derived from low-, and medium- to high-grade metamorphic
source rocks Detrital polycrystalline quartz populations in Holocene sands derived from
granitic plutons partly overlap the medium- to high-grade field.

I NTRODUCTION (1967), who outlined three different character-

istics which would differentiate metamorphic-
Research by crystallographers and structural
derived polycrystalline quartz from igneous-
geologists has shown that there exists a definite
derived polycrystalline quartz, and Folk (1968),
sequence of development of internal features
who recommended a general classification of
associated with the progressive deformation of
polycrystalline quartz.
quartz. However, sedimentary petrologists gen-
Perhaps one of the chief reasons that poly-
erally have ignored deformation structures
crystalline quartz types have not been more
when interpreting the provenance of detrital
fully utilized by sedimentary petrologists is that
quartz populations. T w o exceptions are Blatt
no one has shown that characteristics of po]y-
crystalline quartz, which can be related to pro-
i Manuscript received June 13, 1975; revised Jan- cesses in the source area, are recognizable in
uary 8, 1976.
* Present address: Exxon Company, U.S.A., P.O. sand-size quartz grains. T h e purpose of this
Box 120, Denver, Colorado 80201. paper is to show that generalized classifications,
596 XTEI'EN If,'. Y O U ~ ¥ G

A !

Fro. l.--Photomicrographs of sand-size detrital quartz grains illustrating various deformation features.
(A) Very fine sand-size monocrystalline quartz grains showing deformation lamellae. (B) Polygonized
medium sand-size monocrystalline quartz grains with segmented undulosity. (C) Medium sand-size mono-
crystalline quartz grains shoxving deformation bands and some new crystals. (l)) Medium sand-size poly-
c@stalline quartz grains showing elongated original host crystals, crenulated and sutured crystal-crystal
boundaries, and some new crystal growth. The top grain of these three shows crenulated crystal bound-
 POLYCRYSTALL1NE QUARTZ
such as those by Blatt (1967) and Folk (1968),
can be substantiated by laboratory and field
studies of deformed quartz and that a more
rigorous system of observations can lead to
more accurate interpretations of the provenance
of detrital po]ycrystalline quartz.
PROCEDURE
The quartz fraction in 65 thin sections of
metamorphic rocks in the Indiana University
petrology collection, representing chiefly meta-
pelitie rocks from Barrovian-type regional meta-
morphic zones, was examined to determine what
deformation structures in quartz are most
representative of different regional metamor-
phic zones. The metamorphic history of each
sample was known from the mineralogy and
field relationships as determined by other
workers.
In order to determine whether these struc-
tures could be recognized in detrital polycrystal-
line quartz, 57 samples of sand-sized detritus
taken from first or second order Holocene
streams whose drainage basins are superposed
on known crystalline bedrock terrains of limited
heterogeneity were examined using a petro-
graphic microscope. Streams from which these
sands were taken are located in the Piedmont
Province in Virginia and northern North Caro-
lina and small, well mapped areas in the Rocky
Mountains of the western United States, and
in the Precambrian crystalline core of the Black
Hills in western South Dakota.
Each sample was wet sieved to separate the
silt and clay fractions from the sand fraction.
The sand-sized material was sieved into three
size fractions, coarse (2000 #m to 500 p.m),
medium (500 ,am to 250 ~m), and fine (250 p.m
to 62 p.m). A portion of the medium sand frac-
tion was impregnated with epoxy resin and
thin sectioned for the purpose of this study.
CRYSTALLOGRAPHICAND THEORETICAL
BACKGROUND
Laboratory studies of deformed quartz crys-
tals show that quartz deforms plastically, very
similar to metals (Bailey, et aI., 1958). Further
laboratory experiments have shown that quartz
responds to deformation with a predictable se-
quence of changes in microscopic and sub-
<-
aries while the grain on the right shows more sutured boundaries. (E) Medium sand-size polycrystalline
quartz grains in different stages of primary recrystallization to new crystals. (F) Medium sand-size poly-
crystalline quartz grains showing crystal units with polyhedral outlines, smooth crystal-ct)-stal boundaries,
:u~d interracial angles of 120° at trlple junctions of crystal boundaries.
AND SOURCE ROCKS 597
microscopic characteristics. The (0001) plane
of quartz has the lowest shear yield strength in
quartz crystals (Bloss, 1957, Groves and Kelly,
1969) and hence many deformation structures
appear to be related to movement along this
plane. Lesser amounts of movement can occur
along (1120) and (0111). More recently White
(1973) has suggested that some deformation
structures form by the arrangement of dis-
locations in planes that bear no simple relation
to crystallographic directions.
As stress is applied, a quartz crystal may
bend about one of the a-axes, with bend gliding
taking place parallel to (0001) (Bailey, et al.,
1958). Deformation lamellae and undulatory
extinction, termed deformation structures by
Bell and Etheridge (1973, p. 345), are the
visual evidence of this gliding (Carter, et al.,
1964; Christie, et al., 1964). Deformation lamel-
lae are very narrow (_<2 p.m) subplanar struc-
tures terminating within the host crystal and
have a slight change in extinction from that of
the host which makes them visible optically
(Fig. 1A). These features are the visual evi-
dence of slip arising from dislocations. Non-
rational ]amellae can also develop that have
very different orientation from that of the
(0001) plane.
Undulatory extinction reflects that difference
in orientation of the c-axis in various parts of
the crystal formed either as a response to bend
gliding (Bailey, et al., 1958) or progressive
misorientation of various parts of the quartz
crystal developed by parallel walls of disloca-
tions (White, 1973, p. 496). With increase in
temperature, dislocations migrate and eventually
amalgamate along certain zones. This process
is called polygonization (Bailey, et al., 19.58, p.
1453) and results in the formation of small,
lens-shaped crystallites, bordered by planes of
dislocations and is represented optically by
distinct zones of extinction with sharp bound-
aries (i.e., segmented undulosity) (Fig. 1B).
Bell and Etheridge (1973, p. 343) state this
feature may indicate recovery of the strained
grain.
Also with increasing strain, undulose extinc-
tion becomes more and more pronounced.
Eventually extinction appears as distinct, inde-
pendent bands across the crystal (Fig. 1C).
These features have been called deformation
598 S T E V E N W. YOUNG

UNDUL OSE POL YGONI EED

EL OhtGA TED
NGNUNDUL OSE
ORIGINAL GRYST

~lk POLYGONAL HEW

CRYSTALS CRYSTALS
/

FIc. 2.--Schematic diagram illustrating a generalized quartz deformation "continuum." Starting with an
original nonundulose quartz crystal, with increasing pressure and temperature (clockwise around the circle)
the crystal is deformed until it is recrystaUized and enlarged to form a new, nonundulose crystal.

bands, kink bands, and extinction bands. White
(1973) favors the use of "deformation bands,"
since the term is in common use throughout
materials science.
As polygonization and deformation band de-
velopment continue, the crystal can become more
and more elongate and grain boundaries become
sutured (Fig. 1D). Suturing of crystal bound-
aries reflects gross discrepancies in strain
energy on either side of the boundary formed
as a response to the local buildup of high den-
sities of dislocations. Undulose extinction,
deformation bands, polygonization, and sutur-
ing reflect a transition phase between the orig-
inal crystals and the new, recrystallized crystals
which are in a steady state with the applied
stress.
Recrystallization of deformed crystals is first
reflected in the development of small, strain-
free crystals (_< 50 t~m in size (Wilson, 1973,
p. 45)) either along the margin of the host
grain or along deformation bands, depending on
the style of deformation (Hobbs, 1968) (Fig.
1E). The new crystals develop either by con-
tinued polygonization so that ali the crystallities
become new crystals (syntectonic recrystalliza-
tion according to Hobbs, 1968) or by nucleation
at the borders of crystallites in polygonized
crystals where strain energy is great enough
(Phillips, 1965).
The relict host crystal eventually is com-
pletely replaced by smaller, strain-free new crys-
tals (called primary recrystallization (Harris
and Rast, 1960)). With continued increase in
temperature, some of the new crystals grow at
the expense of others (new crystal growth).
Crystals that show preferred growth have high
angle boundaries with the original host crystal
which allows for a maximum coincidence of
their crystal structures which promotes rapid
crystal boundary migration (B. E. Hobbs, pets.
comm., 1975). These crystals are in a steady
state with the temperature-pressure conditions.
This is reflected by the polyhedral outline of
individual crystals, lack of undulose extinction,
smooth crystal-crystal boundaries, and inter-
facial angles of 120° at triple junctions (Kretz,
1966) (Fig. IF). Sedimentary petrologists have
loosely used the term "polygonized" for this
type of quartz (cf. Pettijohn, et aL, 1972, p.
29-30). However, polygonized quartz is char-
acterized by segmented undulose extinction,
while polyhedral quartz is characteristic of re-
crystallized quartz crystals in rocks. With
further temperature increase some crystals grow
abnormally large, usually having very complex
 POLYCRYSTALL1NE QUARTZ AND SOURCE ROCKS
three-dimensional shapes (Carstens, 1966; Wil-
son, 1973). This is secondary recrystallization
or exaggerated crystal growth which, however,
will seldom be observed in medium sand-size
detrital polycrystalline quartz grains as indi-
vidual grains with exaggerated growth in the
source rocks are generally larger than sand-size.
Later structural adjustments, perhaps as a
response to uplift and erosion or initiation of
another episode of deformation, may renew the
strain process with the development of undulose
extinction, mild polygonization, and perhaps de-
formation bands. Hence, the deformation of
quartz can be envisioned as a continuous pro-
cess, beginning with the deformation of initially
strain-free crystals. Eventually strained crys-
tals are replaced by new strain-free crystals
which grow in a steady state with the stress
environment. The process is illustrated sche-
matically in Fig. 2.
Laboratory experiments on the recrystalliza-
tion process have been carried out at high tem-
peratures and pressures (e.g., Hobbs (1968)
used 10-15 kb pressure at temperatures ranging
from 300°C to 1400°C in order to produce re-
sults in days or weeks. However, Carter, et al.
(1964) suggest that recrystallization could take
place in natural environments at 500°C and
Voll (1960, p. 420) suggests quartz may begin
recrystallization at 100°C.
Recrystallization of SiO~ in the form of chert
can take place at diagenetie to very low-grade
metamorphic temperatures and pressures. Klein
and Fink (in press) have noted that textures
and grain sizes of SiO~-rich units in iron for-
mations in the Labrador Trough vary greatly
although temperatures and pressures affecting
the rocks did not exceed ll0°C and 2 kilobars
respectively. Specifically they document re-
crystallized quartz grains up to 100 /am in size
associated with siliceous rocks where original
chert textures are still recognizable. They sug-
gest that SiO2-rich units, which are saturated
with H20 , can recrystallize more easily under
diagenetic and low-grade metamorphic condi-
tions.
Quartz Deformation and Metamorphic Grade
Metamorphic petrologists have recognized
that quartz crystals do change shape and size
during progressive regional metamorphism. For
example, James (1955) noticed a continuous
increase in quartz crystal size with increase in
metamorphic grade of silicic iron :formations in
northern Michigan. Chlorite-grade rocks were
characterized by quartz crystal sizes of 50 /am
or less while quartz grains in sillimanite grade
599
~aETAMOR~4/C
DEFC,RMAT/ON
~.~.~ L 0 W MEDIUM HIGH
UNDIJLOSITY
o~-ro~wArJo~
LA~LLAE
POL YGONIZED
IAI~OS
NEW CRYSTALS
ELOt¢¢areO
wosrs
EIVL~RGEMEIVT
EXAGGERATED
GROWTH
RAA~£1N ~ SO~lm tO0 ~ ' 4 0 0 ~ ~ tSO ~
GRVST~J. SIZE
FiG. &--Schematic diagram showing the approxi-
mate distribution and abundance of deformation
structures and ranges in crystal size with respect to
metamorphic grade of the source rocks. The nomen-
clature for metamorphic grade has been taken from
Winkler (1974).
rocks were more than 200 /am in size. Wilson
(1973) has shown that quartz crystal size varies
systematically with metamorphic grade in meta-
quartz arenites in Australia. Lower grade rocks
(chlorite and biotite zones) are characterized
by a diversity of crystal sizes (50 /am-500 /am)
depending on the original grain size of the
sediment and the amount of post-depositional
strain and recrystallization that has taken place.
Medium-grade rocks (cordierite zone) have
more uniform crystal sizes (200 /am to 450
/am). High-grade rocks (sillimanite zone) have
slightly larger crystal sizes although exagger-
ated growth produces some extremely large
crystals (~_ 1000 /u.m). Such observations
would suggest that quartz changes morphology
in a systematic fashion with progressive meta-
morphism.
Wilson (1973) has also shown that deforma-
tion features in quartz are related to progressive
regional metamorphism in a systematic way.
Wilson showed that rocks in certain meta-
morphic zones could be characterized by assem-
blages of deformation features in deformed
quartz grains. Specifically, the chlorite and
biotite zones showed mainly quartz crystals with
microstructures typical of deformation, recov-
ery, and primary recrystallization. The cordie-
rite and sillimanite zones were characterized by
new crystal growth and secondary crystalliza-
tion.
Combining the data of James (1955) and
Wilson (1973) with the results of analysis of
the metamorphic rocks samples in the Indiana
University petrology collection permits con-
 60(I STEI'EN
struetion of a schematic diagram showing the
approximate distribution and abundance of de-
formation and recrystallization features in
quartz, as well as average crystal size, with
respect to metamorphic grade of the rocks (Fig.
3). Note that low-grade metamorphic rocks are
characterized by undulose extinction, deforma-
tion bands, polygonization, elongation of host
crystals, and primary recrystallization. For
lack of a better term these structures have been
called "unstable" reflecting the transition be-
tween the "old" and "new" crystals. Quartz in
medium- to high-grade metamorphic rocks is
characterized by polyhedral crystals, straight
boundaries, and nonundulose extinction, or
"stable" features.
Microstructures observed in deformed rocks
are function of strain rate, the temperature
during and after deformation, and the OH-
content (in silicates) (13. E. Hobbs, 1975, pets.
comm.). At lower temperatures or high strain
rates crystals will be elongate, with undulatory
extinction, deformation ]amellae, and deforma-
tion bands. Deformation at higher temperatures
or lower strain-rates can result in several dif-
ferent structures which form as a response to
a number of competing processes. With initially
small crystal sizes, normal crystal growth may
be the dominant process (e.g,, recrystallization
of chert). Another possibility is that crystal
boundaries migrate in a nonuniform fashion
because of local huildup of dislocations produc-
ing serrated crystal boundaries. Furthermore,
regions of high strain, such as crystal bound-
aries, may recrystallize during deformation to
produce an aggregate of small, strain-free crys-
tals surrounding obviously deformed crystals.
Hydroxyl ions have a weakening effect on
the quartz structure (Griggs and Blacic, 1965;
Griggs, 1967). Hobbs, et al. (1973) have shown
that the more hydroxyl ions in the structure;
the lower the yield strength becomes. This is
accomplished by the diffusion of OH- through
the quartz structure to dislocations at higher
temperatures and the breaking of the hydrolyzed
bonds (Hobbs, et al., 1973, p. 29). Hence the
more hydroxyl ions in the lattice, the less stress
is required to develop undulosity and polygoni-
zation. Unfortunately, little is known about the
range of hydroxyl ion concentrations in natural
quartz crystals. Therefore, it is not possible to
evaluate the effect of this variable on deforma-
tion features as a function of metamorphic
grade.
The orientation of the principal stress axis
with respect to the crystallographic axes of
quartz is also important in the development of
I4". Y O U N G
Fro. 4.--Photomicrograph illustrating the inhibit-
ing effect micas have on new crystal growth. Note
that where mica grains (m) border quartz crystals
(q) the crystals are relatively small but where quartz
crystals are unimpeded by mica grains, they are
larger (0).
strained quartz. Hobbs, et al. (1973) have
shown that quartz has the greatest yield strength
when the principal stress axis is parallel to the
c-crystallographic axis of quartz. The lowest
yield values are obtained when the principal
stress axis is perpendicular to a first order
prism or rhombohedron.
Other factors affecting the deformation and
recrystallization of quartz crystals are the
matrix in which they occur, and the presence of
micas and inclusions. Matrix will act as a stress
absorber during metamorphism and will inhibit
the development of deformation structures
(Whisonant, 1970). As a result, quartz grains
in matrix-rich rocks will have to be metamor-
phosed to a higher grade to produce a similar
combination of deformation features as would
be found in quartz grains in matrix-poor rocks
metamorphosed at lower temperatures and
pressures. During new crystal growth the pres-
ence of micas will inhibit the development of
large quartz crystals (Wilson, 1973) (Fig. 4),
leading to the development of what Folk (1968)
calls "schistose" quartz. Inclusions also inhibit
new crystal growth. Carstens (1966) suggests
that crystal growth stops when the grain di-
ameter is equal to the ratio of the diameter of
the inclusions to the volume fraction of the
inclusions.
A valid question which may be raised is:
Can detrital quartz grains with the above fea-
tures be derived from rocks reflecting processes
other than regional metamorphism ? A perusal
of the literature on quartz genesis suggests that
 POLYCRYS'TALLINE QUARTZ
FIG. 5.--Flow diagram to aid in distinguishing be-
tween detrital polyerystalline quartz grains with
"stable" and "unstable" characteristics. The first
observation to make is on the character of crystal-
crystal contacts (A). Sutured contacts characterize
"unstable" grains. If contacts are smooth or crenu-
lated, the extinction characteristics of individual
crystals in the polycrystalline quartz grain should be
examined (B). Nonundulose extinction of most
crystals indicates a "stable" grain. A preponderance
of deformation bands characterize an "unstable"
grain. If most crystals have undulose or segmented
extinction, or both, the distribution of crystal sizes
should be observed (C). Uniform crystal sizes indi-
cate a "stable" grain. A himodal crystal-size distri-
bution where crystals are polyhedral-shaped and have
interfacial angles of approximately 120 ° at triple
junctions of crystal boundaries characterize a
"stable" grain. A bimodal size distribution where
some crystals are large and elongated and others are
small, polyhedral, and nonundulose indicates an "un-
stable" grain.
can be so. For example, a similar scheme of
quartz micro-structure development has been
observed associated with mylonite development
in fault zones (Bell and Etheridge, 1973). Bell
and bitheridge show that the closer quartz crys-
tals are to a fault zone the more unstable their
internal geometry becomes and their general
crystal size decreases. Precipitation of quartz
from solution in very low t e m p e r a t u r e environ-
ments can also produce quartz crystal aggre-
gates with 'stable' features (Mackenzie and
Gees, 1971). Such conditions are particularly
important in the development of crystal aggre-
gates in geodes (Chowns and Elkins, 1974).
Later thermal metamorphism of previously de-
formed crystals, for example a low-grade schist
in a contact aureole, can initiate recovery, pri-
mary recrystallization, and new crystal growth.
However, the contribution of detrital polycrys-
talline quartz grains derived from such rocks
to sediments in a basin, when compared to the
overall contribution by a dominantly crystalline
source area to sediments in t h a t basin, will
,a'enerally be minor.
Akri) S O U R C E ROCK.S" 601
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ao •
ro A •
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r "°ii •
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.20
I •
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•
I
.50
I
60
I
70
I
80
I
90
I
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FIG. 6.--Relationship of the instability index (¢)
vs. the polycrystallinity index (P) for medium sand-
sized detritai polycrystalline quartz populations in
Holocene sands derived from known crystalline
source rocks.
.APPLICATION TO P R O V E N A N C E STUDIES
Sedimentary petrologists have examined de-
trital monocrystalline quartz in detail with
respect to shape, inclusions, and undulatory ex-
tinction and the relationship these character-
istics bear to the provenance of elastic quartz
sand grains. However, less is known about the
relationship of the internal structures of detrital
quartz grains to their provenance. Two excep-
tions are the generalized classifications sug-
gested by Blatt (1967), and Folk (1968) (which
is an extension of classifications developed by
Krynine ( 1 9 4 6 ) ) . Blatt suggested t h a t (1)
medium sand-size polycrystalline quartz grains
with 6 or more crystal units or (2) extreme
elongation of crystals in a polycrystalline quartz
grain or (3) distinct bimodality of crystal sizes
in a polycrystalline grain suggest a metamorphic
source rock for the grain. Folk indicated that
polyhedral-shaped grains imply a metamorphic
recrystallized quartz aggregate, that quasi-
parallel oriented mica grains in a polycrystalline
quartz grain suggest derivation from schists,
and that sutured and elongated crystals in de-
trital polycrystalline quartz grains indicated a
metamorphic origin. These statements have not
been widely cited in the literature, perhaps be-
cause ( i ) they are not substantiated by sig-
nificant amounts of data, either from studies
of sedimentary material derived from known
parentage or from theoretical and laboratory
studies, and (2) the polycrystalline quartz types
602 STEVEN
were related to specific lithic types (e.g., "schis-
tose quartz") rather than processes.
If, however, the process of development of
deformed monocrystalline quartz is envisioned
as a continuous process as illustrated in Fig. 2
and related to specific processes (i.e., progres-
sive regional metamorphism), then such char-
acteristics may be used to make more accurate
statements about the provenance of detrital
quartz grains in sedimentary rocks.
Because a combination of the presence of
monocrystalline with polycrystalline quartz has
previously been used to define source rocks (cf.
Basu, et al., 1975), this study seeks to employ
only detrital polycrystalline quartz to interpret
source rocks. Two indices will be compared on
a bivariant graph : ( 1) a polycrystallinity index
(F) which is the ratio of medium sand-size de-
trital polycrystalline quartz to total polycrystal-
line quartz, and (2) an instability index (4)
which is the ratio of "unstable" detrital poly-
crystalline quartz grains to total detrital poly-
crystalline quartz. To aid in distinguishing "un-
stable" and "stable" grains, a flow chart is
presented in Fig. 5. These indices are meant
to be calculated for medium sand-sized detrital
polycrystalline quartz populations only.
Using the above scheme, polycrystalline
quartz populations in 57 samples of Holocene
fluvial sand derived from known metamorphic
and igneous source terrains are plotted in Fig.
6. At least 255 separate detrital grains from each
sample were counted. Note that detrital poly-
crystalline quartz populations derived from low-
grade metamorphic rocks are characterized by
high polycrystallinity indices and generally
moderate to high instability indices. Detrital
polycrystalline quartz populations derived from
medium- to high-grade metamorphic rocks have
low instability indices and moderate to low poly-
crystallinity indices. Plutonic igneous-derived
detrital polycrystalline quartz populations over-
lap the medium- to high-grade metamorphic-
derived populations but generally have lower
polycrystallinity indices.
DISCUSSION
The polycrystalline quartz populations in
sands and sandstones can be very useful in
determining the ultimate crystalline source ter-
rane for detrital quartz populations. Using only
detrital polycrystalline quartz populations to
interpret crystalline source rocks can be par-
ticularly advantageous when the detrital mono-
crystalline quartz population of a sandstone is
comprised of significant amounts of nonundula-
tory monocrystalline quartz grains derived from
W. Y O U N G
mature sedimentary rocks rendering the tech-
nique of Basu, et al. (1975) less effective.
Furthermore, understanding the processes that
lead to the development of textures in quartz
crystals can aid in the interpretation of the
strain history and origin of individual detrital
quartz grains. Finally, recognizing detrital poly-
crystalline quartz types can be useful in estab-
lishing mineral provinces in sands and sand-
stones.
A problem in distinguishing between detrital
polycrystalline quartz comprised of new crystals,
and partially recrystallized detrital chert is
anticipated. Crystal size is perhaps the most
important criterion. Average crystal size in
chert generally will be 5/Lm (Folk and Weaver,
1952, p. 500), while new crystals in diagenetic
and low-grade metamorphic quartz populations
generally.have a minimum grain size of about
50 ,am. As a result, although some overlap is
expected, detrital polycrystalline quartz, with
new crystals, derived from metamorphic rocks
will have a larger average crystal size (i.e.,
fewer crystals per detrital grain) than that of
detrital chert. Furthermore, new crystals are
often found associated with larger, elongated
host grains. It should be noted that detrital
polycrystalline quartz derived from completely
recrystallized chert is virtually indistinguishable
from "stable" detrital polycrystalline quartz
derived from medium- to high-grade meta-
morphic rocks.
Many limitations inherent in this study are
similar to those for strained monocrystalline
quartz (Basu, et al., 1975). Because the quartz
cycle is strongly influenced by the deformation
of the host rock, the detrital quartz population
of sandstones that have been folded, faulted, or
metamorphosed may be affected by post-deposi-
tional strain. Sandstone samples selected from
areas of minimum tectonic activity or which
contain some stress-absorbing matrix or both
are best suited for this kind of study.
Only medium sand-size polycrystalline quartz
grains were examined when collecting data for
Fig. 6 because: (1) the polycrystallinity index
varys as a function of grain size as well as
source rock, (2) most sand and sandstone con-
tain some medium sand-size material, and (3)
deformation features are still recognizable in
medium sand-size detrital polycrystalline quartz
grains while less so in finer grain-sizes. There-
fore, while the analysis technique presented
above can be performed on detrital polycrystal-
line quartz grains of any size, the results shown
in Fig. 6 are most meaningful for medium sand-
size (500 txm to 250 ~m) detrital polycrystalline
quarts populations.
 POLYCRYSTALLINE Q U A R T Z A N D SOURCE ROCKS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This paper represents part of a Ph.D. disser-
tation completed at Indiana University under
the guidance of Lee J. Suttner whom I especially
thank. I am also grateful to Thomas E. H e n d r i x
and Charles J. Vitaliano for critically reading
the manuscript. I am particularly grateful to
Bruce Hobbs for his careful reading and per-
ceptive comments on the theoretical and crys-
tallographic parts of this paper. I also t h a n k
Cornelis Klein, Jr. and Clifford FrondeI for
t h e i r helpful comments on recrystallization pro-
cesses and recrystallization temperatures. I
gratefully acknowledge George Ringer for the
photography of Figs. 1 and 2.
Financial support for the collection of the
Holocene sand samples came from the Society
of Sigma Xi, and the Department of Geology,
Indiana University.
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