Physical Geology

Topic Igneous
Rocks

Igneous Rocks
1.
2.
3.
4.

Chemical/mineral composition
Extrusive versus intrusive
Classification
Importance of igneous rocks

1. Chemical/Mineralogic
Composition
Main groupings depending upon

silica (SiO2) content:

Mafic (Magnesium and iron/Fe)
Generally dark coloured
Relatively poor in silica, rich in magnesium
& iron
E.g., gabbro/basalt
Also Intermediate and Ultramafic

rocks

1. Chemical/Mineralogic
Composition
Main groupings depending upon

silica (SiO2) content:

Felsic (Feldspar & Silica)
Generally light coloured
Rich in minerals high in silica (quartz,
feldspar, etc)
E.g., granite/rhyolite

Bowens Reaction Series

1000o 1200oC
750o

Framework

Sheet

Double
Chain

Single Isolated
Chain

Two series of minerals formed during crystallization of

magmaTemperature of
Crystallization
Low Silica Magma

High Silica Magma

Extrusive
Intrusive
Mafic

Felsic

2. Extrusive vs
Intrusive
Intrusive rocks

(plutonic)
Formed by slow

crystallization of
magma that have
intruded rock masses
deep in the Earth
Recognized by
interlocking large
crystals

2. Extrusive vs
Intrusive
Extrusive rocks

(volcanic)
Formed by rapid

crystallization of
magma that
erupts at the
surface of the
Earth
Recognized by
glassy or finegrained nature

2. Extrusive vs
Intrusive
Intrusive rocks
Igneous Intrusions (Plutons) : large

igneous bodies formed at depth

1

km3 to 100s of km3

Batholiths (large), stocks (small)
Discordant cut across layers of rocks they
intrude

landforms

2. Extrusive vs
Intrusive
Intrusive rocks
Sills & Dikes: small, tabular igneous

bodies formed at depth

cm

to many meters thick

Dikes are discordant cut across layers of
rocks they intrude
Sills are concordant parallel to layering

Magma cools

for several
reasons

Removal of

volatiles
It rises to a
cooler location
and has time to
cool

Cooling depends
very much on the
geometry
(surface area) of
the intrusion.
Tabular-shape =
fast cooling
Spherical shape =
slow cooling

Cooling times

3. Classification
Classification based on mineralogic

composition and texture

Composition origin of magma
Felsic/Intermediate/Mafic/Ultramafic

Texture - conditions at solidification

Grain

size (fine, coarse)

Grain shape
Relationships between grains (interlocking)

3. Classification
Igneous Textures
Phaneritic
Crystals are
evident that one
can easily
distinguish with the
unaided eye

3. Classification
Igneous Textures
Aphanitic

Crystals are
uniformly finegrained and
interlocking, with
individual crystals
invisible to the
unaided eye

3. Classification
Igneous Textures
Porphyritic
Large, evident
crystals called
phenocrysts are
surrounded by an
aphanitic matrix or
groundmass.

3. Classification
Igneous Textures
Vesicular
Vesicles are simply
bubbles produced
by gases escaping
from lava as it
solidifies

3. Classification
Igneous Textures
Glassy
Very rapid cooling
may prevent
crystal growth
altogether, and we
get natural
volcanic glass,
called obsidian.

Igneous rock
textures

Fig.5.4

4. Importance of igneous
rocks
A high proportion of the world's metal

deposits are associated with igneous rocks

porphyry copper; epithermal gold

Igneous activity provides sources of key

ingredients: heat / metal / water

Ore deposits are often directly hosted by
igneous rocks in veins, disseminated
within rock, etc.
Hydrothermal alteration and fracturing of
igneous rocks is also involved

4. Importance of
rocks
Study rock properties to understand

conditions of formation
Sources of fossil fuels
Sources of metals and other mineral
resources
Groundwater
Building materials
Underground storage
Radioactive & other hazardous wastes

Plan Nord
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mineral explorations
permits had been
issued
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operational or in
construction
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