Table 27 Aid to identification of rocks for engineering purposes (continued) (2 of 2)

Igneous rocks: generally massive structure and crystalline texture Metamorphic rocks

Grain size description Foliated Massive

Pyroxen­
ite GNEISS
GABBRO
GRANITE1 DIORITE1-2 1,2 Well-developed but
often widely
Peridotite
spaced foliation
COARSE sometimes with
These rocks are sometimes schistose bands
porphyritic and Migmatite
are then described, for example, as Irregularly foliated:
porphyritic granite mixed schists and
gneisses
T
MICRO­ MICRO­ DOLER­ SCHIST MARBLE
<D GRANITE1 DIORITE1’2 ITE3'4 QUARTZITE
N Well-developed
1Л
MEDIUM C
undulose foliation: GRANULITE
k_
These rocks are sometimes generally much
CD porphyritic and are then described mica HORNFELS
O)
as porphyries PHYLLITE AMPHIBO­
’</)
(U LITE
Ф
I—
u
Slightly undulose
c RHYO­ AN­ foliation; SERPEN­
BASALT5 TINE
LITE4’5 DESITE45 sometimes spotted
FINE SLATE
These rocks are sometime
Well-developed
porphyritic and are
plane cleavage
then described as porphyries
(foliation)
MYLONITE
Amor­
phous or OBSID­ Found in fault
VOLCANIC GLASS zones, mainly in
crypto­ IAN5
crystalline igneous and
metamorphic areas
COLOUR
CRYSTALLINE
Pale Dark
INTERME­
ACID BASIC
DIATE ULTRA Mainly
Much Little or SILICEOUS
Some BASIC SILICEOUS
quartz no quartz
quartz
IGNEOUS ROCKS
Composed of closely interlocking mineral grains. Strong when fresh; not porous
Mode of occurrence: 1. Batholiths, 2. Laccoliths, 3. Sills, 4. Dykes, 5. Lava flows, 6. Veins.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Generally classified according to fabric and mineralogy rather than grain size.
Most metamorphic rocks are distinguished by foliation which might impart fissility. Foliation in gneisses
is best observed in outcrop. Non-foliated metamorphics are difficult to recognize except by association.
Most fresh metamorphic rocks are strong although perhaps fissile.