Lecture:12-14

Introduction to Petrology
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.

Rock: A rock is a coherent, naturally occurring solid, consists of

an aggregate of minerals.

Types of Rocks:
1.Igneous Rock
2.Sedimentary Rock
3.Metamorphic Rock
Rock Cycle: A continuous process by which rocks are created,
changed from one form to another, destroyed, and then formed
again. Rock cycle that provides a way of viewing the
interrelationships between Earth’s internal and external
processes.

Rock Formes By…

i. crystallization of
Magma

ii. deposition of
sediments

iii. Transformation of
previous ones due to
temperature and pressure
 Igneous Rock
Definition: Igneous means “ born from fire”. Rocks those are
formed from the crystallization of molten or partially molten
material within the earth’s crust or on the surface of the earth.

Generally all the igneous rocks can be divided into two types
based on the place of crystallization

i. Intrusive Igneous Rocks/Plutonic Rocks

ii. Extrusive Igneous Rocks/Volcanic Rocks
Intrusive Igneous Rock: Rocks that form when molten rock
solidifies at the surface rapidly due to volcanic eruption are
classified as extrusive or volcanic rock. Hence such rocks are
smooth, crystalline and fine-grained.
Example: Rhyolite, Dacite, Basalt
Intrusive Igneous Rock: Rocks those crystallize below the
earth’s surface by slow cooling and with large crystals. Also called
plutonic rock. Example: Granite, Granodiorite, Gabbro
Intrusive Igneous Rock Extrusive Igneous Rock
Classification of Igneous Rock Based on Chemical or
Mineralogical Parameters
 Sedimentary Rock
Definition: Rocks consist of sediments which are mechanically
or chemically weathered from pre-existing rocks by agents of
denudation and are deposited in stratified fashion at or near the
earth’s surface under relatively low temperature and pressure.
Sedimentary rocks are often deposited in layers, and frequently
contain fossils.

A sedimentary rock formed by the following processes-

i. Weathering and Erosion

ii. Transportation
iii. Deposition
iv. Lithification
Lithification: As deposition continues, older sediments are
buried beneath younger layers and gradually converted to
sedimentary rock (lithified) by compaction and cementation. This
and other changes are referred to as diagenesis a collective term
for all of the changes that take place in texture, composition, and
other physical properties after sediments are deposited.
Classification of Sedimentary Rock:
1.Clastic Rock
❑ Shale
❑ Siltstone
❑ Sandstone
❑ Conglomerate & Breccia
2. Non-Clastic Rock
❑ Carbonate (Chemical, Biochemical)
❑ Evaporites
❑ Organic
Clastic Rock/Detrital Rock: Are composed of fragments, or
clasts, of pre-existing minerals and rock. A clast is a fragment of
geological detritus, chunks and smaller grains of rock broken off
other rocks by physical weathering.
Grain size scale
Shale: Shale is a fine-grained rock, composed of mud that is a
mix of flakes of clay minerals and tiny fragments (silt-sized
particles) of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. Black
shale, which is black because it contains abundant organic matter
(carbon). Oil and gas generate from black shale. Have high
porosity but very very low permiability. Fluid cannot pass through
shale rock. Shale indicates deep marine environment.

Sandstone: Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock made up

mainly of sand-size (1/16 to 2 millimeter diameter) particles.
Environments where large amounts of sand can accumulate
include beaches, deserts, flood plains, and deltas. Sandstone acts
as a reservoir rock for oil and gas. It is porous and permeable.
Conglomerate: Conglomerate consists largely of gravels
(greater than two millimeters in diameter) rounded particles.
Gravels accumulate in a variety of environments and usually
indicate the existence of steep slopes or very turbulent currents.
The coarse particles in a conglomerate may reflect the action of
energetic mountain streams or result from strong wave activity
along a rapidly eroding coast.
Breccia: If the large particles are angular rather than rounded,
the rock is called breccia. Breccia indicate that they did not travel
far from their source area before they were deposited.
Siltstone: Siltstone is a sedimentary rock which has a grain size
in the silt range, finer than sandstone and coarser than
claystones.
Non-Clastic Rock: Rocks form from chemical reactions,
chiefly in the ocean or are formed from the remains of plants and
animals.

Limestone = composed of the mineral calcite, may contain

marine fossils; formed by precipitation from water
Rock salt = composed of the mineral halite (salt); formed by
evaporation
Rock gypsum = composed of the mineral gypsum; formed by
evaporation
Chert = composed of microscopic mineral grains of quartz; very
hard with sharp edges
Dolomite = (also known as "dolostone" and "dolomite rock")
very similar to limestone. It is thought to form when limestone or
lime mud is modified by magnesium-rich ground water.

Coal: An organic sedimentary rock that forms mainly from plant

debris. The plant debris usually accumulates in a swamp
environment. Coal is combustible and is often mined for use as a
fuel.
Stages of Coal Formation
Peat- Lignite- Bituminous-Anthracite
 Metamorphic Rock
Definition: A rock formed from preexisting igneous or
sedimentary rocks by mineralogical, structural, or chemical
compositional changes in response to extreme changes in
temperature and pressure. Temp: 150 to 200 °C, Pressure: 100
megapascals (1000 bar)
Foliated Rock: forms when pressure squeezes the flat or elongate
minerals within a rock so they become aligned. These rocks develop a
platy or sheet-like structure that reflects the direction that pressure was
applied in.
Non-foliated Rock: are formed around igneous intrusions where the
temperatures are high but the pressures are relatively low and equal in
all directions (confining pressure).