Module-2

PETROLOGY

Magma: The hot molten silicate material occurring naturally below the surface of the earth is
called magma. When magma erupted through volcanoes onto the surface of the earth then it is termed
as lava.

Rock: Rocks are naturally occurring aggregates of minerals. Rocks are generally classified
into three types namely, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

Igneous rocks:Igneous rocks are primary rocks which are formed by the direct cooling and
consolidation (solidification) of magma. Example: Granite, Basalt etc.

Sedimentary rocks: Sedimentary rocks are secondary rocks which are formed through the
deposition and compaction of sediments and through chemical precipitates. Example: Sandstone,
Limestone etc.

Metamorphic rocks: Metamorphic rocks arealso secondary rocks which are formed by the
recrystallisation of pre-existing rocks under the influence of temperature, pressure and chemically
activefluids under essentially in a solid state. Example: Gneiss, Schist etc.

ORIGIN OF IGNEOUS ROCKS:

The average chemical composition of igneous rocks is mainly consists of nine elements
namely, Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminium, Iron, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Titanium.
All Igneous rocks are thought to have been formed from single parent magma of basaltic composition
and which is originally homogenous and uniform in nature. From this parent basaltic magma diverse
types of igneous rocks are assumed to have evolved though the process of differentiation and
assimilation.Differentiation might have been brought out by one or more of the processes like liquid
immiscibility, fractional crystallization, gravitational differentiation and filtration differentiation.

a. Differentiation:It is the process by which an originally homogenous and uniform magma

splits up into different types of igneous rocks.

Liquid immiscibility: Differentiation prior to crystallization taken place due to liquid

immiscibility involving separation of liquid phases of contrasting composition in the parent magma.
Subsequently crystallization in these immiscible layers results in the formation of different rocks of
contrasting composition.

Fractional crystallization (differentiation during crystallization):Fractional crystallization

process involves a considerable amount of molecular diffusion or convection currents.

Gravitational differentiation(differentiation after crystallization): This process involves the

sinking or setting of earlier formed crystal under the influence of gravity. This process is controlled by
factors like specific gravity, shape and size of crystals on the one hand and viscosity of the melt on the
other hand.

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Filtration differentiation(differentiation after crystallization): In this process, the solid phase
(i.e. the crystals) is separated from the liquid phase (i.e. the melt) through the operation of lateral
stresses. This process involves squeezing out of the liquid form the crystallizing melt and is known as
filter processing. The squeezed out liquid may be injected into rocks farther away from the original
source and crystallizes to new types of rocks.

b. Assimilation: The process of incorporation of the foreign material, generally from the host
rock, into the magmatic melts is termed as assimilation. This may lead to a change in the
chemical composition of the magma, which on cooling may give rise to different types of
rocks.

CLASSIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS:

1. Chemical classification:

a. Based on Silica percentage: Based on silica percentage igneous rocks are classified into four
classes,
Class SiO2percentage Example
Acidic igneous rocks > 66% Granite, Rhyolite
Intermediate igneous rocks between 52% and 66% Andesite, Dacite
Basic (mafic) igneous rocks between 45% and 52% Gabbro, Basalt
Ultrabasic(ultramafic) igneous rocks < 45% Peridotite, Komatiite, Dunite

b. Based on Silica saturation: Based on silica saturation igneous rocks are classified into the
following types,
Silica oversaturated rocks: These rocks contain free quartz or an equivalent silica mineral of primary
origin.
Silica saturated rocks: These rocks do not contains neither free quartz nor a silica deficient minerals
such as feldspathoids or magnesian olivine but contain only saturated minerals viz; those that are
compatible with excess silica under magmatic conditions like feldspars, pyroxenes, amphiboles,
fayalite, etc.,

Silica under saturated rocks: These rocks consists either wholly or partly of silica deficient minerals
such as feldspathoids or magnesian olivine that cannot exist in the presence of quartz.

c. Based on alumina content:

Peraluminian rocks:If molecular proportion of Al2O3> Na2O+K2O+CaO.
Metalauminian rocks: If molecular proportion of Na2O+K2O < Al2 O3< Na2O +K2O+CaO.
Subaluminian rocks: If molecular proportion of Al2O3 = Na2O+K2O+CaO.
Peralkaline rocks: If molecular proportion of Al2 O3< Na2O+K2O.

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d. CIPW Classification:

In CIPW (Cross, Iddings, Prisson and Washington) classification, the igneous rocks are divided into
five classes based on salic/femic mineral ratio.

Salic minerals: Quartz, Orthoclase, Albite, Anorthite, Leucite, Nepheline, Corundum, Zircon etc.
Femic minerals: Diopside, Hypersthene, Olivine, Acmite, Magnetite, Hematite, Chromite etc.
CIPW classification Table:
Sl. No. Salic/femic ratio Class name

1 >7.00 Persalic

2 7-1.66 Dosalic

3 1.66-0.60 Salfemic

4 0.60-0.14 Dofemic

5 <0.14 Perfemic

2. Classification based on mode of formationand texture:The textural factor expresses the

conditions under which the cooling of the magma took place. In other words, it is a reflection on the
geological occurrences of rocks. On this basis igneous rocks are divided into three groups.

Plutonic rocks:The igneous rocks which have formed at greater depths (more than 2km) below the
surface of the earth’s crust are called plutonic rocks. Generally plutonic rocks show coarse grained
texture. Example: Granite, Gabbro etc.,

Hypabyssal rocks:The igneous rocks which have formed at shallow depths, generally less than 2km
below the surface of the earth’s crust are called hypabyssal rocks. In general, hypabyssal rocks shows
medium grained to porphyritic texture. Example: Granite porphyry, syenite porphyry, dolerite etc.

Volcanic rocks: The igneous rocks which are formed on the surface of the earth crust are called
volcanic rocks. Volcanic rocks generally show fine grained to glassy texture. Example: Basalt,
obsidian, Rhyolite etc.,

STRUCTURE OF IGNEOUS ROCKS:

Those features that are developed on large scale on the surface of a rock giving rise to
conspicuous shape or forms are included under the term structures. In igneous rocks the common
structures are: Vesicular structure, amygdaloidal structure, columnar structure and pillow structure.

Vesicular structure: When lavas heavily charged with gases and other volatiles are erupted on
the surface, the gaseous constituent’s escapes from the lava as there is a decrease in the pressure. Thus,
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near the top of flows, empty cavities of variable dimensions are formed. The individual openings are
known as vesicles and the structure as a whole is known as vesicular structure.

Amygdaloidal structure: The vesicles, which are empty to start within the vesicular structure,
are subsequently filled up by secondary minerals like zeolites, calcite, chalcedony etc., these infillings
are called ‘amygdales’ and the structure as a whole is known as amygdaloidal structure.

Columnar structure: In case of most of the extrusive igneous bodies, the cooling of the mass
brings about the development of a few sets of vertical joints. Such sets of vertical joints often intersect
and thus divide the rock-mass into a number of vertical columns which may be square, rectangular,
rhombic, trigonal or hexagonal in outline. When an igneous rock mass is divided, in this fashion, into a
number of vertical columns, the structure is described as columnar structure.

Pillow structure:In this structure, the volcanic igneous body appears as a pile of numerous
overlapping pillows or sacks. Such pillows ordinarily have a glassy surface followed by a vesicular
uppermost layer and the individual pillows may sometimes be connected together by short necks.

TEXTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS:

The term texture mainly refers to the mutual relationships of the constituent minerals of a rock
in addition to crystallinity, granularity and shapes of minerals in a rock.

Types of textures:
1. Equigranular texture:Equigranulartextures are those in which the constituent mineral grains
are of approximately the same size. Example: Granite, Syenite
2. Inequigranular texture: Inequigranular textures are those in which the majority of the
constituent minerals show marked difference in their relative grain size.
a. Porphyritic texture: In this type of texture the large sized minerals are surrounded by fine
grained minerals. Where the large sized mineral is known as phenocryst and the fine
grained minerals is called as groundmass or matrix.Example: Granite porphyry
b. Poikilitic texture: This is the converse of porphyritic texture and is characterized by the
presence of fine grained minerals within the body of largesized minerals.
Example: Peridotite
c. Ophitic texture: This is a type of poikilitic texture in which small laths of plagioclase
feldspars are enclosed by large crystals of augite mineral. Example: Dolerite
3. Intergrowth texture: During the formation of igneous rocks, sometime two or more minerals
may crystallize out simultaneously in a limited space looks like intergrowth; this type of
texture is called as intergrowth texture.
a. Graphictexture:It is an intergrowth of quartz and feldspar in which quartz is disposed in
wedge shaped or prismatic areas intersecting at angles of 600. Example: Pegmatite.
b. Perthitic texture: It is an intergrowth of two feldspar minerals in which a K-feldspar
contains strings or patches of sodic plagioclase (albite).Example: Syenite.
c. Myrmekitic texture: It is a cauliflower – like intergrowth between acid plagioclase and
vermicular quartz. Example: Charnockites.

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FORMS OF IGNEOUS ROCKS OR MODE OF OCCURRENCE OF IGNEOUS ROCKS:

Intrusive igneous bodies: The igneous rock masses occurring as injections within the country
rocks and solidifying underneath the surface of the earth are known as the intrusive igneous bodies.
Based on mode of formation and contact relationship with the surrounding country rocks, intrusive
igneous bodies are further classified into concordant and discordant igneous bodies.

Concordant igneous bodies: If an intrusive igneous body necessarily runs parallel to the
structures (bedding plane, foliation, lineation etc.,) of thecountry rocks in which they occur are called
‘Concordant igneous bodies’. Example: Sill. Laccolith, Lopolith, Phacolith etc.,

Sills: Sills are tabular concordant igneous bodies lying parallel to the structure of the country rock.
They are commonly sheet like masses occurring within the country rocks and may be of variable
thickness.

Laccoliths: Laccoliths are dome or bun shaped concordant igneous bodies with their lower surface flat
and upper surface arched.

Lopoliths: Lopoliths are saucer or basin shaped concordant igneous bodies with the central portion is
thicker and the periphery is thinner.

Phacoliths: Phacoliths are more or less crescentric shaped concordant igneous bodies occurring along
the crests and troughs of folds of the country rocks.

saucer or basin shaped

Lopolit5h
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Dome or bun shaped

Laccolith

Phacolith

Discordant igneous bodies: If an intrusive igneous body happens to cut across the structures
(bedding plane, foliation, lineation etc.,) of the country rocks are called discordant igneous bodies.
Example: Dyke, batholiths, stock and bosses

Dykes: Dykes are discordant igneous bodies of more or less tabular shape and exhibit a cross-cutting
relationship with the country rocks. They occur commonly in the form of wall-like masses of exactly
or nearly vertical attitude. Dykes commonly occur in groups and such groups may exhibit radiating,
arcuate or any other pattern. If they exhibit radiating pattern is called radiating dykes and if it exhibit
arcuate pattern is called arcuate dykes.

Ring dyke: An arcuate dyke occurring more or less in the form of a complete or nearly complete circle
may be called a ring dyke.
Cone sheets: Sometimes sheets of igneous material are found to occur in the form of inverted, coaxial
cones, with thin layers of country rocks lying in between them and such sheets are known as cone
sheets.

Batholiths: Batholiths are large intrusive bodies having diameter usually 100km or more and their
outcrop at the surface is roughly circular or oval in shape. The composition of batholiths is usually
granitic or granodioritic.
Stock and Boss:An irregular igneous mass of diameter usually varies between 10 to 20km are called
stock and are associated with batholiths. Stocks which have an approximately circular outcrop are
called as boss.

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Extrusive igneous bodies: The igneous rock masses which are formed on the surface of the earth are
known as extrusive igneous bodies. Example: Lava flows.

Lava flows: Lava flows are extrusive igneous bodies, come upon the surface and appear to have spread
themselves in the form of sheets. They may be horizontal or slightly inclined depending upon the
original topography and subsequent geological history of the area.

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS: Sedimentary rocks are secondary rocks which are formed through the
deposition and compaction of sediments and through chemical precipitates. Example: Sandstone,
Limestone etc.

ORIGIN OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS:

The sedimentary rocks were formed due to the operation of processes like weathering,
transportation, depositionand compaction.

The mechanical disaggregation and chemical disintegration of the constituents of the country
rocks is known as weathering. The products of weathering may or may not remain at the spot where
they first formed. The insoluble residual materials sometimes mange to escape from the transporting
agencies and hence accumulate in situ, at least for a certain length of time. The soluble substances are
readily removed in solution and the more durable constituents like quartz travel in suspension, with the
surface runoff, till conditions favorable for their deposition. The transported materials will deposit and
continue to accumulate in suitable basins. When accumulation is sufficient, the loose particles are
gradually subjected to compaction and finally converted into sedimentary rocks. Compaction may take
place due to precipitation, from percolating ground water containing cementing materials like calcium
carbonate, silica, oxides of iron etc., in between the individual grains of the loose sediments.

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CLASSIFICATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS:

Depending upon mode and mechanism of accumulation and consolidation, sedimentary rocks may
broadly be classified as follows

1. Residuallyformed sedimentary rocks: This type of rocks is formed due to accumulation and
consolidation of those materials which were left as residue during the operation of the
processes of weathering and transportation. Example: Laterite, Bauxite etc.,

2. Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks: Those sedimentary rocks which have formed from
rock fragments or sediments which have undergone transportation physically, due to the
geological agencies like wind, river and glacier.

Sediment size:
Grade Range of sediments size

Boulders >256mm

Cobbles 256mm to 64mm

Pebbles 64mm to 4mm

Gravel 4mm to 2mm

Very coarse grained sand

2mm to 1/2mm

Medium grained sand 1/2mm to 1/4mm

Fine grained sand 1/4mm to 1/16mm

Silt 1/16mm to 1/256mm

Clay < 1/256mm

Based on sediments sizemechanically formed sedimentary rocks are classified into three types
a. Rudaceous rocks: Sedimentary rocks made up of gravels and fragments coarser than
gravels (i.e. sediment size is more than 2mm) are called rudaceous rocks.
Example: Conglomerate, Breccia etc.
b. Arenaceous rocks: Sedimentary rocks made up of sand (i.e. sediment size is between 2mm
to 1/16mm) are called arenaceous rocks
Example: Sandstone, Grit etc.
c. Argillaceous rocks: Sedimentary rocks made up of silt and clay (i.e. sediment size is
between 1/16mm to 1/256mm) is called argillaceous rocks.
Example: Shale, Mudstone etc.
3. Chemically formed sedimentary rocks: Those sedimentary rocks which have formed by
precipitation, evaporation or crystallization from natural aqueous solutions carrying the

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weathered material in the form of dissolved load. The precipitation may take place under a
suitable chemical environment or due to activity of organisms.
Example: Limestone, Bog iron ore etc.
4. Organically formed sedimentary rocks: Those sedimentary rocks are which have formed by
accumulation of organic matter and are preserved under suitable conditions.
Example: Fossiliferous limestone, foraminiferal ooze etc.

PRIMARY STRUCTURES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS:

Stratification: The deposition of sediments in the form of layers or beds is called stratification or
bedding. The different layers may vary in grain size, mineral composition, colour, texture etc.,
depending upon the exact environment which governed their formation. In a sedimentary sequence,
the surface separating the different beds is known as the bedding planes.

Lamination: When the thickness of individual beds is less than one cm in thickness is called
lamination. It is usually found in the fine grained sedimentary rocks like shale.

Cross bedding or current bedding: The sedimentary beds are generally parallel to one another.
Sometimes, however, within a sedimentary sequence, some of the beds may be found to lie slightly
oblique to the major bedding planes. This type of structure is known as current bedding or cross
bedding since it is formed due to change in the velocity and direction of flow of streams.

Graded bedding: In some stratified sedimentary rocks the component sediment in each layer appear to
be characteristically sorted and arranged according to their grain size, the coarsest grains being placed
at the bottom and the finest grains at the top. Such an individual layer is said to be graded. When a
sequence of rocks is made of such graded layers, is called graded bedding.

Ripple marks: Ripple marks are undulations produced on the surface of loose sediments due to either
the action of wind or of waves in a shallow water body. The undulations may either be symmetrical or
asymmetrical.

Mud cracks or sun cracks: The structure consists of polygonal or irregular cracks on the floor of any
dried up pool, are often preserved in the fine grained sedimentary rocks are called mud cracks or sun
cracks.

Rain print or rain marks: The irregular, small crater-shaped depressions seen on fine grained dried
sediments are called rain prints or rain marks.

Tracks and tails: Movement of organisms on the surface of loose and soft sediments may cause the
development of markings, impressions or foot prints, etc., which are known as tracks and trails.

METAMORPHIC ROCKS:

Metamorphic rocks are also secondary rocks which are formed by the recrystallisation of pre-
existing rocks under the influence of temperature, pressure and chemically active fluids under
essentially in a solid state. Example: Gneiss, Schist etc.

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Metamorphism: Metamorphism is defined as the mineralogical and textural changes in pre-
existing rocks in the solid state primarily due to changes in temperature, pressure and the introduction
of chemically active fluids.

Agents or factors of metamorphism: Temperature, pressure and chemically active fluids are
main factors controlling the metamorphism.

Temperature: The source of temperature which is responsible for metamorphism is either due
to depth or due to the contact with magma (i.e. magma chamber or magmatic intrusion). The
metamorphic changes mainly take place in the temperature range of 350-8500 C. The temperature rise
also increases the chemical activity in rocks and facilitates reactions during metamorphism.

Pressure: The pressure which causes metamorphism is of two different kinds, namely, uniform
pressure (confined pressure) and direct pressure (stress).

The uniform pressure continues to increase with depth underneath the earth’s surface due to the
progressively increasing load of the superincumbent rocks.

Directed pressure or stress dominates in regions where tectonic forces are in play. Such
pressure acts in any direction. It acts only on solids and affect the shape of rocks or minerals. It is
effective at or near the surface of the earth but becomes less significance with increasing depth
underneath due to the predominance of uniform pressure there. The application of stress give rise to
shearing movements in the rock and produces new minerals which have platy habit and arrange
themselves approximately parallel to each other.

Chemically active fluids: Chemically active fluids play a key role in different ways in causing
metamorphism. The access of chemically active fluid is possible in regions where intrusive igneous
bodies occur within the country rocks. In such cases, the rocks of the region are subjected to rise in
temperature and, at the same time, the chemically active fluids migrate from the magma and have a
chance to react with the country rocks.

TYPES OF METAMORPHISM:

Depending upon the factors responsible for metamorphism,different kinds of metamorphism are
noticed and they are

1. Thermal metamorphism
2. Dynamic metamorphism
3. Dynamo-thermal metamorphism

Thermal metamorphism: All types of metamorphism in which temperature (heat) plays a

dominant role are commonly known as thermal metamorphism.
Contact metamorphism is a common type of thermal metamorphismthat takes place in rocks
existing close to the magmatic intrusions, injections and lava flows.

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Pyrometamorphism is another type of thermal metamorphism in which case a part of country
rock may actually get trapped within a magmatic body.
Example: Limestone Marble, Sandstone Quartzite

Dynamic metamorphism: The type of metamorphism in which directed pressure orstress

plays a dominant role is called dynamic metamorphism. Dynamic metamorphism is also called
cataclastic metamorphism because with little or no heat, when directed pressure acts, rocks are forced
to move past one another resulting in their crushing and granulation (i.e. mechanical breakdown of
rocks).
Example: Shale Slate

Dynamothermal metamorphism: This is also referred as regional metamorphism where

combination of directed pressure and temperature (heat) are dominating factor, operating at some
depth in the crust. This type of metamorphism is considered as most important as well as prevalent
type of metamorphism, normally takes place in fold-mountain regions, and produces the typical
metamorphic rocks like schists and gneisses.
Example: Granite Gneiss

Plutonic metamorphism: The kind of metamorphism where combination of uniform pressure and
great temperature (heat) are dominating factor, operating at a depths where the directed pressure
becomes less or practically negligible is called plutonic metamorphism.Metamorphic rocks like
granulite and eclogite are typical products of plutonic metamorphism.

Structures of metamorphic rocks:

Augen structures: Eye like view, white or pink oval shaped or eye shaped clusters of grains of quartz,
orthoclase, plagioclase swept round by dark layers of biotite or hornblende looks like eyebrows and
lashes. Example: Augen Gneiss

Migmatitic structures: Migmatitic structures typically consist of darker and lighter parts. The darker
part usually exhibits features of metamorphic rocks whereas the lighter parts are of igneous looking
appearance. Example: Migmatite

Granulose structures: It consists of interlocking of shapeless grains or crystalline minerals. Example:

Marble, Quartzite.

Schistose structures: It consists of flaky, foliated or platy elongated grains or layers oriented within
longer axis parallel, frequently twisted or curved. Example: Schist

Gneissose structures: It consists of alternate bands of light colored and dark colored mineral grains in
parallel often pinching and swelling, twisted with varying thickness. Example: Gneiss.

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IDENTIFICATION OF ROCKS
A. IGNEOUS ROCKS
Properties Specimen No. Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour index Leucocratic Melanocratic Leucocratic

Grain size Fine grained Fine grained Medium to coarse

Texture/Structure Vesicular Vesicular/Amygdaloidal Graphic

Mineral composition Quartz, Orthoclase, Plagioclase, Augite, Iron Quartz, Orthoclase,

plagioclase oxides, Zeolites, Calcite, Microcline, Biotite
quartz Tourmaline, Beryl,
Magnetite, Pyrite,
Apatite

Specific gravity Low 2.9 (Medium) 2.6 (Medium)

Mode of formation Volcanic Acidic Volcanic Basic Igneous Hypobyssal

Igneous Rock Rock AcidicIgneous Rock

Name of the rock Pumice Vesicular/Amygdaloidal Pegmatite

Basalt
Uses Used in light weight Used as Road Worked for
concrete aggregate, metal,building stone, valuable minerals
filler, toot powder, concrete aggregate and like Orthoclase,
acid paints, abrasive worked for cavity filled Atomic minerals,
minerals like Zeolites, Beryl, Tourmaline,
Amethyst, Agate Apatite

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Igneous rocks contd….

Properties Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour index Melanocratic Leucocratic

Grain size Medium grained Medium to coarse

Texture/Structure Ophitic Porphyritic

Mineral composition
Plagioclase, Augite, Quartz, Orthoclase,
Magnetite, Biotite, Plagioclase, Biotite,
Olivine, Hypersthene Hornblende, Magnetite,
Apatite, Zircon

Specific gravity 2.9 (Medium) 2.6 (Medium)

Mode of formation Hypobyssal Basic Hypobyssal Acidic

Igneous Rock Igneous Rock

Name of the rock Dolerite Granite Porphyry

Uses Used as Ornamental, Used as Building,

monumental and monumental, sculpture
memorial stone, and memorial stone,
flooring, road metal, road metal, concrete
concrete aggregate aggregate, railway
ballast, flooring

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Igneous rocks contd….

Properties Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour index Leucocratic Leucocratic

Grain size Medium Medium

Texture/Structure Porphyritic Equigranular

Mineral composition Quartz, Orthoclase Quartz, Orthoclase

(white), Plagioclase (pink), Plagioclase
Biotite, Hornblende, Biotite, Hornblende,
Magnetite, Apatite, Magnetite, Apatite,
Zircon Zircon

Specific gravity 2.6 (Medium) 2.6 (Medium)

Mode of formation Plutonic Acidic Plutonic Acidic

Igneous Rock Igneous Rock

Name of the rock Grey Granite Pink Granite

Uses Used as Building, Used as Building,

monumental, monumental,
sculpture and sculpture and
memorial stone, memorial stone, road
road metal, concrete metal, concrete
aggregate, railway aggregate, railway
ballast, flooring ballast, flooring

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Igneous rocks contd….

Properties Specimen No.

Colour index Melanocratic

Grain size Coarse

Texture/Structure Equigranular

Mineral composition
a. Essential minerals Plagioclase, Augite

b. Accessory minerals Hornblende, Biotite,

Ilmenite, Magnetite

Specific gravity 2.8-2.9 (Medium)

Mode of formation Plutonic Basic

Igneous rock

Name of the rock Gabbro

Uses Used as ornamental

stone, concrete
aggregate, road
metal, railway
ballast

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B. SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Properties Specimen No. Specimen No. Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour Reddish brown Reddish brown Red, grey, brown Greyish brown,
reddish brown

Grain size Coarse Coarse Medium Fine

Texture/Structure Rudaceous Rudaceous Arenaceous Argillaceous

Mineral composition Angular pebbles of

a. Essential Smooth rounded pebbles quartz, jasper and Sand particles, Clay minerals like
minerals of quartz, jasper and rocks mostly of quartz, kaolinite,
rocks little orthoclase, montmorillonite,
muscovite, illite, chlorite and
gluconite some silt sized
particles

b. Accessory Uraninite, carbonate, Uraninite, Magnetite, zircon, Pyrite, carbonates

minerals epidote carbonate, epidote monazite

Cementing material Siliceous/ferruginous Siliceous/ferrugino Siliceous/ferrugino Siliceous/ferruginous/

us us Carbonaceous

Specific gravity 2.7-2.8 (Medium) 2.7-2.8 (Medium) 2.6-3.0 (Medium) 2.6 (Medium)

Mode of formation Mechanically formed Mechanically Mechanically Mechanically formed

formed formed
Name of the rock Conglomerate Breccia Sandstone Shale

Uses Used as ornamental Used as ornamental Building material, Manufacture of brick,

stone and to extract stone and to extract ornamental, tiles, expanded shale
agate, jasper and other agate, jasper and structural, road for light weight
valuable ore minerals other valuable ore metal, concrete concrete aggregate
like Uraninite minerals like aggregate
Uraninite

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Sedimentary rocks contd….
Properties Specimen No. Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour Creamy white, grey Reddish brown Reddish brown,

yellowish

Grain size Fine grained Medium Medium

Texture/Structure Argillaceous Fossiliferous Concretionary

Mineral composition
a. Essential minerals Calcite Shells, calcite Gibbsite, bauxite,
Fe2O3

b. Accessory minerals - - -

Cementing material Calcareous Calcareous Self cemented/

ferruginous

Specific gravity 2.7 (Medium) 2.7 (Medium) 2.6-2.8 (medium)

Mode of formation Chemically formed Organically formed Residual deposits

Name of the rock Limestone Fossiliferous/Shelly Laterite

limestone
Uses Manufacture of cement, Ornamental stone, Road metal, poor
iron smelting , concrete table tops, grade iron and
aggregate, asphalt decorative panels, aluminium ore
coated road material shell lime, shell-
mortar

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C. METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Properties Specimen No. Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour Greyish white Pink, Grey, White Grey

Grain size Medium Medium Medium

Texture/Structure Gneissose with augen Gneissose Gneissose

structure
Mineral composition
a. Essential minerals Quartz, Orthoclase, Quartz, Orthoclase, Quartz, Orthoclase,
Plagioclase, Biotite, Biotite, Hornblende Biotite, Hornblende
Hornblende
b. Accessory minerals Magnetite, Zircon Magnetite, Zircon Magnetite, Zircon

Specific gravity 2.7 (Medium) 2.7 (Medium) 2.7 (Medium)

Mode of formation Dynamo thermal Dynamo thermal Dynamo thermal

metamorphism metamorphism metamorphism

Name of the rock Augen Gneiss Pink Gneiss Banded Gneiss

Uses Used as Building and Used as Building Used as Building

ornamental stone, road and ornamental and ornamental
metal, concrete stone, road metal, stone, road metal,
aggregate, railway pillars, concrete pillars, concrete
ballast, flooring aggregate, railway aggregate, railway
ballast, flooring ballast, flooring

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Metamorphic rock contd….
Properties Specimen No. Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour Black, buff colour Greenish Silver white to

greyish white

Grain size Fine to medium Fine to medium or Fine to medium or

coarse coarse

Texture/Structure Schistose Schistose Schistose

Mineral composition
a. Essential minerals Sericite, quartz, Chlorite Muscovite mica,
chlorite, feldspar, clay some specs of
minerals Biotite

b. Accessory minerals Pyrites, Magnetite, Magnetite, Garnet, Garnet, Staurolite,

Hematite Quartz, Pyrites Graphite

Specific gravity 2.8-2.9 (Medium) 2.9 (Medium) 2.8-3.0 (Medium)

Mode of formation Dynamic Dynamo thermal Dynamo thermal

metamorphism metamorphism metamorphism

Name of the rock Slate Chlorite schist Mica schist

Uses Flooring and roofing, Worked for extract Worked for extract
school black board and garnet, magnetite garnet, staurolite etc.
slates, laboratory sinks etc.

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 Module-2
Metamorphic rock contd….
Properties Specimen No. Specimen No.

Colour White Green

Grain size Medium Fine to medium

Texture/Structure Granulose Granulose

Mineral composition
a. Essential minerals Calcite Fuchsite, Quartz,
sericite

b. Accessory minerals Sphene Magnetite, rutile

Specific gravity 2.6-2.8 (Medium) 2.7 (Medium)

Mode of formation Thermal Thermal

Metamorphic Rock Metamorphic Rock

Name of the rock Marble Fuchsite quartzite

Uses Ornamental, Ornamental stone,

decorative, beads, in mosaic
monumental, works in ornamental
memorial, or decorative panels
architectural,
flooring, table tops
etc.

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