University of Goroka

School of Humanities- Division of IEDS

HID 214 Physical Geography
Assignment No: 2, Topic: Rocks & Minerals
Name: Joel Atis ID No 2019313081 Date: 16/10/2020 Total:___/20 marks
Instructions: Complete all questions hand out.
1. Minerals that make up the rocks are micas, hornblende, olivine, quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase
feldspar. Which of the minerals is described by following characteristics?( 4 mrks)
(i) Rounded grain usually greenish in colour, with a sugary texture and found igneous rock.
 Olivine
(ii)Very thin layers or layers of flakes
 Micas
(iii) Shiny surface with crystal grains usually block & rectangular in igneous rocks.
 Hornblende
(iv)Green to black in colour with shiny surface in almost rectangular & long needle like crystals in rocks &
found in metamorphic & sometimes igneous rocks.
 Hornblende
2. What the difference between foliated & non foliated igneous rocks?(2 mrks)
The difference is that foliated rocks have layer or banded appearance that is produce through expo
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.
3. Identify the following rocks in pictures if they are igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks and explain
why? (Give one characteristic of each rock)
A. It is an extrusive igneous rock, because it is formed from the fast cooling of magma outside of the earth
surface and has a fine grain.
B. It is a metamorphic rock, because it is formed through the process of metamorphism with the
crystallization of minerals due to change in pressure and temperature, therefore it has a crystal and
appear rough grain.
C. It is a sedimentary rock, because it was formed from the deposition of materials through the process of
compaction and cementation. It’s a non-clastic where it has a fine grain and smooth surface. ( 6 mrks)
A B C
4. Name one type rock that is;
(i) Foliated metamorphic rock - granite gneiss and biotite schist are two (ii) Plutonic igneous rock -gabbro,
diorite, granite and pegmatite (iii) organic sedimentary rock- chalk, coal, diatomite, some dolomites, and some
limestone (3mrks)
5. What is the difference between mafic & felsic minerals in rocks? ( 2 marks).
Mafic minerals are usually dark in color and have relatively high specific gravities (greater than 3.0). ... Felsic
minerals are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3.0. Common felsic minerals include
quartz, muscovite mica, and the orthoclase feldspars.
Chemically, mafic rocks are enriched in iron, magnesium and calcium and typically dark in color. In contrast
the felsic rocks are typically light in color and enriched in aluminium and silicon along with potassium and
sodium. The mafic rocks also typically have a higher density than felsic rocks.
6. Table below shows how igneous rocks can be differentiated by texture, colour and minerals composition
.Study the table & describe the following rocks.
(i)Granite (ii) Pumice (iii) Basalt ( 3 marks)

.
I. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Granite is composed mainly of
quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. This mineral
composition usually gives granite a red, pink, grey, or white color with dark mineral grains visible
throughout the rock.
II. Pumice, called pumicite in its powdered or dust form, is a volcanic rock that consists of highly vesicular
rough textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. It is typically light colored.
Pumice is created when super-heated, highly pressurized rock is violently ejected from a volcano.

III. Basalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene
minerals. It most commonly forms as an extrusive rock, such as a lava flow, but can also form in small
intrusive bodies, such as an igneous dike or a thin sill. It has a composition similar to gabbro.

Due date 23th October …..End of Assignment! …… Mrs Keake, 2020