PETROLOGY Intrusive igneous rocks crystallize
below Earth’s surface, and the slow
➢ Classification of rocks
➢ Distinction between Igneous,
Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks
➢ Description, occurrence, properties
and distribution of Rocks
What is Petrology?
scientific study of rocks that deals with
their composition, texture, and
structure; their occurrence and
distribution; and their origin in relation
to physicochemical conditions and
geologic processes. It is concerned with
all three major types of rocks—igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary.
TYPES OF ROCKS
Igneous Rock
Igneous rock, or magmatic rock, is one
of the three main rock types.
Igneous rock is formed by magma or
lava cooling and solidifying. In either the
mantle or crust of a planet, the magma
can be derived from partial melts of
existing rocks.
The melting is typically caused by one or
more of three processes: temperature
increases, pressure decreases, or
composition changes. Rock solidification
occurs either as intrusive rocks below
the surface or as extrusive rocks on the
surface. Igneous rock can form granular,
crystalline rocks with crystallization or
form natural glasses without
crystallization.
There are two basic types:
cooling that occurs there allows large
crystals to form. Examples of intrusive
igneous rocks are diorite, gabbro,
granite, pegmatite, and peridotite.
Extrusive igneous rocks erupt onto
the surface, where they cool quickly to
form small crystals. Some cool so quickly
that they form an amorphous glass.
These rocks include andesite, basalt,
obsidian, pumice, rhyolite, scoria, and
tuff.
Metamorphic Rock
Metamorphic rocks arise from the
transformation of existing rock types, in
a process called metamorphism, which
means “change in form”.
The original rock (protolith) is subjected
to heat and pressure causing profound
physical and/or chemical change. The
protolith may be a sedimentary rock, an
igneous rock or another older
metamorphic rock.
Metamorphic rocks make up a large part
of the Earth’s crust and form 12% of the
Earth’s current land surface. They are
classified by texture and by chemical and
mineral assemblage (metamorphic
facies). They may be formed simply by
being deep beneath the Earth’s surface,
subjected to high temperatures and the
great pressure of the rock layers above
it. They can form from tectonic
processes such as continental collisions,
which cause horizontal pressure, friction
and distortion. They are also formed
when rock is heated up by the intrusion
of hot molten rock called magma from
the Earth’s interior.
There are two basic types of
metamorphic rocks:
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. Sedimentary
Rock
Sedimentary rock is one of the three
main rock groups (along with igneous
and metamorphic rocks) and is formed in
four main ways: by the deposition of the
weathered remains of other rocks
(known as ‘clastic’ sedimentary rocks);
by the accumulation and the
consolidation of sediments; by the
deposition of the results of biogenic
activity; and by precipitation from
solution.
Sedimentary rocks include common
types such as chalk, limestone,
sandstone, clay and shale.
Sedimentary rocks cover 75% of the
Earth’s surface.
Four basic processes are involved in the
formation of a clastic sedimentary rock:
weathering (erosion)caused mainly by
friction of waves, transportation where
the sediment is carried along by a
current, deposition and compaction
where the sediment is squashed together
to form a rock of this kind.
Sedimentary rocks are formed from
overburden pressure as particles of
sediment are deposited out of air, ice, or
water flows carrying the particles in
suspension.
As sediment deposition builds up, the
overburden (or ‘lithostatic’) pressure
squeezes the sediment into layered
solids in a process known as lithification
(‘rock formation’) and the original
connate fluids are expelled.
The term diagenesis is used to describe
all the chemical, physical, and biological
changes, including cementation,
undergone by a sediment after its initial
deposition and during and after its
lithification, exclusive of surface
weathering.
There are three 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 such as
coal, some dolomites, and some
limestones, form generalfrom the accumulation of plant or animal debris.

PROPERTIES OF ROCKS

Properties of Metamorphic Rocks

Since all metamorphic rocks start

• Metamorphic rocks are
out as other types of rocks, generally crystalline in
texture.
the properties of
• They often have a banded,
metamorphic
or squashed look.
rocks can vary. • They do not get hot enough
Properties
• Theyof allIgneous
contain Rocks
minerals. to melt.
• The majority are made up of
Different types of igneous rocks
silicate materials.
have different properties, but
• The process of igneous rock
there are some
formation cannot be directly
properties that help identify all
observed.
igneous
• They rocks.
can be fine-grained or
close-grained.
• Lava that cools quickly often
has a glassy texture.
Properties of Sedimentary Rocks

The properties of sedimentary

rocks vary slightly from rock
rock. to

• Clastic sedimentary rocks

are made up of rock and
mineral grains you can see
with the naked eye or a
microscope.
• The texture of igneous rocks
is either fragmental or
crystalline.
• Sedimentary rocks are
found mostly on the Earth’s
surface.
• These rocks contain the
fossil record of ancient
plants and animals.