PETROLOGY

• is the study of rocks and the conditions which influence the formation of the rocks.

IMPORTANCE OF PETROLOGY

• Petrology plays an important role in ascertaining the physical and chemical composition
of rocks and the different condition that influence their formation.

• Petrological research is also crucial in helping us understand the nature of the Earth’s
crust and mantle. Over many years, the earth’s tectonic processes have shaped the
nature of rocks and the topography of earth’s surface.

• These geological processes are vital in determining the sustainability of certain areas for
agriculture, industrial or commercial use.

• The field of petrology helps us to understand the best raw materials to be used in
industries for the manufacture of goods. Additionally, petrology promotes best practices
that foster sustenance and technological advancement.

ENGINEERING CONNECTION

• Engineers care about rocks, soils and minerals. One reason they are important is that
they are the foundation for our buildings and roads. Engineers also get many of the
materials they use for construction from rocks, soils, and minerals. Engineers must
understand the properties of these rocks, soils, and minerals so that they can use the
ideal material for a job that is efficient and cost effective.

NATURAL STONES DEFINITION

• In Engineering view:
Rocks are the oldest material used in building and construction 
• In Geologic View :
Mixture of minerals in one solid body formed inside or outside Earth’s Crust to get three
types of rocks :
 1. Igneous Rocks
 2. Metamorphic Rocks
 3. Sedimentary Rocks

PROPERTIES OF ROCKS
• The streak of a rock is the color of a rock when it is crushed into a powder. Sometimes,
the streak of a rock is a different color than the rock itself.
• The texture of a rock is the size, shape, and arrangement of the grains (for
sedimentary rocks) or crystals (for igneous and metamorphic rocks). Also of importance
are the rock's extent of homogeneity (i.e., uniformity of composition throughout) and the
degree of isotropy.
• The hardness of a material is measured against the scale by finding the hardest
material that the given material can scratch, and/or the softest material that can scratch
the given material. For example, if some material is scratched by apatite but not by
fluorite, its hardness on the Mohs scale is 4.5.
• Cleavage describes how a mineral breaks into flat surfaces (usually one, two, three or
four surfaces). Cleavage is determined by the crystal structure of the mineral.
• Permeability is the property of rocks that is an indication of the ability for fluids (gas or
liquid) to flow through rocks. High permeability will allow fluids to move rapidly
through rocks. Permeability is affected by the pressure in a rock.

CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS
1. Igneous Rocks (IGN = Latin for fire) are those that solidify from magma, a molten
mixture of rock-forming minerals and usually volatiles such as gases and steam. Since
their constituent minerals are crystallized from molten material, igneous rocks are
formed at high temperatures. They originate from processes deep within the Earth—
typically at depths of about 50 to 200 kilometers (30 to 120 miles)—in the mid- to lower-
crust or in the upper mantle.
2 Basic Types of Igneous Rocks
• Intrusive igneous rocks (Plutonic Rock) crystallize below Earth's surface at
considerable depths generally between 7-10 km , and the slow cooling that occurs there
allows large crystals to form. Examples of intrusive igneous rocks
are diorite, gabbro, granite, pegmatite, and peridotite.
• Extrusive igneous rocks (Volcanic Rocks) erupt onto the surface, where they cool
quickly to form small crystals. Some cool so quickly that they form an amorphous glass.
The grain size of the crystals formed in these rocks are very fine and microscopic. These
rocks include andesite,  basalt,  dacite,  obsidian,  pumice,  rhyolite, 
scoria and tuff

Examples of IR
• Diorite is a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock that contains a mixture of feldspar,
pyroxene, hornblende, and sometimes quartz.
• Pegmatite is a light-colored, extremely coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock. It forms
near the margins of a magma chamber during the final phases of magma chamber
crystallization. It often contains rare minerals that are not found in other parts of the
magma chamber.

ENGINEERING USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

• Basalt and other dark color igneous rocks are very strong hence are used for
foundations and road stones etc.
• Also used for foundation of dams and reservoirs

2. Sedimentary Rocks (SEDIMENT = Latin meaning to settle) are formed by the

accumulation of sediments.
• These rocks are those that are deposited and lithified (compacted and cemented
together) at the Earth’s surface, with the assistance of running water, wind, ice, or living
organisms. Most are deposited from the land surface to the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and
oceans. Sedimentary rocks are generally stratified—i.e., they have layering. Layers may
be distinguished by differences in color, particle size, type of cement, or internal
arrangement.

3 Basic Types of Sedimentary Rocks

• Clastic sedimentary rocks such as breccia, conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone,
and shale are formed from mechanical weathering debris.
• Chemical sedimentary rocks, such as rock salt, iron ore, chert, flint, some dolomites,
and some limestones, form when dissolved materials precipitate from solution.
• Organic sedimentary rocks (Biological) such as coal, some dolomites, and
some limestones, form from the accumulation of plant or animal debris.

Examples of SD
• Limestone is a rock that is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. It can form
organically from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris. It can also form
chemically from the precipitation of calcium carbonate from lake or ocean water.
• Shale is a clastic sedimentary rock that is made up of clay-size (less than 1/256
millimeter in diameter) weathering debris. It typically breaks into thin flat pieces.

ENGINEERING USES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

• Building Construction
• Structural Wall Construction
• Cement Production
• Concrete Production
• Pavement and Road Construction
• Tunnelling 
• Brick and Tile Manufacturing
• Architectural and Monumental Stone
• Building Interior Decoration
• Façade Construction
• Filler in Paint
• Sheetrock and Plaster
• Wallboard
 3. Metamorphic Rocks (META = from Latin and Greek meaning to transform; MORPH
= Greek meaning form)
• are those formed by changes in preexisting rocks under the influence of high
temperature and pressure, and chemically active solutions. The changes can be
chemical (compositional) and physical (textural) in character.
• The rocks which have formed through the operation of various types of metamorphic
processes on the pre existing igneous and sedimentary rocks involving changes in
textures, structures and mineralogical compositions

2 Basic Types of MR
• Foliated metamorphic rocks such as gneiss, phyllite, schist, and slate have a
layered or banded appearance that is produced by exposure to heat and directed
pressure.
• Non-foliated metamorphic rocks such as hornfels, marble, quartzite,
and novaculite do not have a layered or banded appearance.

Examples of MR
• Amphibolite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms through recrystallization
under conditions of high viscosity and directed pressure. It is composed primarily
of hornblende (amphibole) and plagioclase, usually with very little quartz.
• Lapis Lazuli, the famous blue gem material, is actually a metamorphic rock. The round
objects in the photo are lapis lazuli beads about 9/16 inch (14 millimeters) in diameter.

ENGINEERING USES OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS

• Quartzite and marble are the most commonly used metamorphic rocks.
• They are frequently chosen for building materials and artwork. Marble is used for statues
and decorative items like vases
• Quartzite is very hard and is often crushed and used in building railroad tracks. Schist
and slate are sometimes used as building and landscape materials.

ROCK CYCLE
• The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock
or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into
igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock.
• Igneous rock forms when magma cools and makes crystals. Magma is a hot liquid
made of melted minerals. The minerals can form crystals when they cool. Igneous rock
can form underground, where the magma cools slowly. Or, igneous rock can form above
ground, where the magma cools quickly.
• On Earth's surface, wind and water can break rock into pieces. They can also carry rock
pieces to another place. Usually, the rock pieces, called sediments, drop from the wind
or water to make a layer. The layer can be buried under other layers of sediments. After
a long time the sediments can be cemented together to make sedimentary rock. In this
way, igneous rock can become sedimentary rock.
• All rock can be heated. But where does the heat come from? Inside Earth there is heat
from pressure. There is heat from friction. There is also heat from radioactive decay (the
process that gives us nuclear power plants that make electricity).
• So, what does the heat do to the rock? It bakes the rock.
• Baked rock does not melt, but it does change. It forms crystals. If it has crystals already,
it forms larger crystals. Because this rock changes, it is called metamorphic.
Metamorphosis can occur in rock when they are heated to 300 to 700 degrees Celsius.
• When Earth's tectonic plates move around, they produce heat. When they collide, they
build mountains and metamorphose the rock.
• The rock cycle continues. Mountains made of metamorphic rocks can be broken up and
washed away by streams. New sediments from these mountains can make new
sedimentary rock.
• The rock cycle never stops.