CLASSIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

Introduction
-Igneous rocks have been classified using one or more
parameters based on mineralogy, chemical composition, tectonic
association, and others.
-The general schemes of classification follow the IUGS norms.
-The following schemes will be discussed:
IUGS scheme for acid & intermediate rocks (plutonic &
volcanic)
IUGS scheme for basic and mafic rocks
TAS scheme for volcanic rocks (and their plutonic versions)
CIPW scheme for igneous rocks
 CIPW Scheme

- CIPW norm calculation was introduced by four American petrologists: W.Cross,

J.P. Iddings, L.V. Pirsson, and H.S. Washington in 1903 as a method of classifying
igneous rocks based on their chemical composition.
- They devised a set of rules and mathematical expressions to convert the rock
analyses to a hypothetical mineral assemblage of standard minerals or normins.
- These normins are then compared to the modal mineralogy for mutual
correspondence and interpretation.
- They also provided a set of classification terms to group rocks based on their
bulk chemistry irrespective of their mineralogy.
Basic principles
The CIPW norm calculation rules are based on the following assumptions and
simplifications:
- The host magma forming the rock was assumed to be anhydrous. This prevents
the formation of hydrous minerals: primary mica and amphibole, in the norm.
- The CIPW norm adjusts the presence of hydrous minerals by calculating their
anhydrous substitutes or equivalents or ignores them.
- The ferromagnesian minerals are assumed to be free of Al2O3 .
- Al2O3 content of the rock can be used to form the amount of feldspar and
feldspathoids in the norm, assuming enough CaO, Na2O, and K2O are able to
satisfy and utilize Al2O3 present.
- Fe/Mg ratio of all the ferromagnesian minerals is assumed to be the same.
- Several mineral pairs are assumed to be incompatible: olivine and quartz,
nepheline and quartz.
Method of Calculation
- Using the above basic principles the various oxides can be allotted to minerals in
a particular sequence to calculate the normative mineral assemblage.
- For dry basic rocks and rocks which contain anhydrous minerals the calculated
norm resembles the modal mineralogy.
- The advantage of this is mainly seen in the determinative mineralogy of glassy
or volcanic rocks derived from dry lavas.
- In experimental anhydrous melts and synthetic rocks, the stable mineral
assemblages at varying thermodynamically controlled conditions can be predicted
by norm calculation.
- The rules of calculation have been adopted and modified: to introduce oxidation
state of Fe, distinction between silica saturated and under saturated rocks,
combination of appropriate oxides prior to calculation, and to calculate certain
petrochemical parameters such as: differentiation index, crystallization index,
solidification index, Mg number, contamination index, and relevant calculations
of oxide ratios with petrogenetic significance.