Classification of Igneous Rocks

Figure 2-1a. Method #1 for plotting a point with the components: 70% X, 20% Y, and 10% Z on triangular diagrams. An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, John Winter, Prentice Hall.

Classification of Igneous Rocks

Figure 2-1b. Method #2 for plotting a point with the components: 70% X, 20% Y, and 10% Z on triangular diagrams. An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, John Winter, Prentice Hall.

(a)

The rock must contain a total of at least 10% of the minerals below. Renormalize to 100%

Q
Quartzolite
90 90

Quartz-rich Granitoid

Classification of Igneous Rocks

Alkali Fs. Quartz Syenite Alkali Fs. Syenite
5 10 20

60

60

Granite

Granodiorite

20

Quartz Syenite

Quartz Monzonite
35

Quartz Monzodiorite
65

Qtz. Diorite/ Qtz. Gabbro

5 Diorite/Gabbro/

Syenite
(Foid)-bearing Syenite

A
10

Monzonite (Foid)-bearing Monzonite

Monzodiorite
(Foid)-bearing Monzodiorite

90

Anorthosite

P
10 (Foid)-bearing Diorite/Gabbro

(Foid)-bearing Alkali Fs. Syenite (Foid) Monzosyenite (Foid) Monzodiorite

Figure 2-2. A classification of the phaneritic igneous rocks. a. Phaneritic rocks with more than 10% (quartz + feldspar + feldspathoids). After IUGS.

60

60

(Foid)olites

Classification of Igneous Rocks

Plagioclase
Anorthosite
90

Figure 2-2. A classification of the phaneritic igneous rocks. b. Gabbroic rocks. c. Ultramafic rocks. After IUGS.

Ga bb ro

lite cto Tro

Olivine
Dunite
90

Olivine gabbro

Peridotites
Plagioclase-bearing ultramafic rocks

Lherzolite
40

Pyroxene

(b)
(c)

Olivine
Olivine Websterite
10

Orthopyroxenite

Pyroxenites

10

Orthopyroxene

Websterite Clinopyroxenite

Clinopyroxene

Classification of Igneous Rocks

20

60

60

Rhyolite

Dacite

20

Trachyte

Latite
35

Andesite/Basalt
65

A
10

(foid)-bearing Trachyte

(foid)-bearing Latite

(foid)-bearing Andesite/Basalt

10

Phonolite

Tephrite

Figure 2-3. A classification and nomenclature of volcanic rocks. After IUGS.

60 60

(Foid)ites

Classification of Igneous Rocks

Figure 2-4. A chemical classification of volcanics based on total alkalis vs. silica. After Le Bas et al. (1986) J. Petrol., 27, 745-750. Oxford University Press.

Classification of Igneous Rocks

Figure 2-5. Classification of the pyroclastic rocks. a. Based on type of material. After Pettijohn (1975) Sedimentary Rocks, Harper & Row, and Schmid (1981) Geology, 9, 40-43. b. Based on the size of the material. After Fisher (1966) Earth Sci. Rev., 1, 287-298.