Scribd
Upload
35 views9 pages

Plutonic Rock Mineral Analysis Guide

The document discusses various thin sections of rocks, identifying key minerals such as Plagioclase Feldspar, Pyroxenes, and Biotite, and their implications for rock classification. It highlights characteristics of plutonic rocks, the presence of specific minerals like Apatite and Olivine, and the processes involved in their formation. Additionally, it mentions the identification of rock types such as Ribeckite Granite and Basalt based on mineral composition and crystallization patterns.

Uploaded by

Yatharth Bahl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
35 views9 pages

Plutonic Rock Mineral Analysis Guide

The document discusses various thin sections of rocks, identifying key minerals such as Plagioclase Feldspar, Pyroxenes, and Biotite, and their implications for rock classification. It highlights characteristics of plutonic rocks, the presence of specific minerals like Apatite and Olivine, and the processes involved in their formation. Additionally, it mentions the identification of rock types such as Ribeckite Granite and Basalt based on mineral composition and crystallization patterns.

Uploaded by

Yatharth Bahl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

204003

a) - The main minerals include Plagioclase Feldspar,


Pyroxenes, Magnetite, and Biotite.
Biotite
Magnetite

Plagioclase
Feldspar

b)–The plagioclase crystals show evidence of at least three stage crystal growth
i.e. growth at different points in the melt. Evidences are growth at corners and
twinning.
208

a) Thin section 208 is plutonic based off the sizes of the crystals.

As we already know plutonic rocks have a characteristic of having large crystals due to a slower cooling that occurs within the
magma before reaching the surface.

Also the presence of certain crystals supports the rock being plutonic which includes.

.
•
- Apatite crystals are found in igneous rocks but its presence in this plutonic thin section may indicate that it was present
during the first crystallization of the magma.
•
- Pyroxene reacting to form biotite definitely supports the the thin section rock is plutonic because these rocks tend to seep
through cracks and crevices within the magma chamber.
•
When this happens, the decrease in temperature as well as the presence of the liquid phase decreases , leading to the
formation of various minerals - We have seen in architectural tables that a crystal like pyroxene can interact with SiO2 present
in the molten liquid, as well as temperature.
•
changes in biotite formation
b)
200520
a) The most abundant feldspars found in this thin section are clinopyroxene and alkali feldspar.

Its diagnostic characteristics include brown and green color, moderate to high relief, especially when surrounded by minerals such as alkali feldspar, as well as
moderate birefringence in light cross polar .

As for alkali feldspar, the gray color as well as the sheet/streaky texture proves it.

b) C) The rock name is Ribeckite Granite.


202510

Triple Junction
a) The primary mineral here is pyroxene.

b) This appears to be an orthocumulate as the crystals are roughly equidistant and show equal
proportion of crystalline and solid phases.

c) A triple junction is formed when three crystals intersect at roughly 120 degrees, showing adjustment
during crystallization

d) The bulk composition will show the overall chemical composition of the rock because different
minerals crystallize at different temperatures.

e) The rock maybe Gabbro or Peridotite.


221005 a)

b) The way we distinguish between plag and


quartz is
• Quartz has undulating extinction Quartz
• Quartz is uniaxial and plag is biaxial
Biotite

Magnetite

K-Feldspar
200506
a)

b) The rock maybe Pyroxenite.(or diorite or


Gabbro)

c) This was a Dry Magma mineral because no


water is present in any of the mineral phases.

d) The presence of Olivine within a pyroxene is


odd, especially the small size of the crystals this
shows that the rock may have gone through
various stages of pounding (or a peritectic). Also
Olivine is present within Pyroxene shows that
olivine crystallized first and then was overgrown by
pyroxene
204001

a) Main original minerals are plagioclase


and
olivine,.

b) Hypabyssal mineral
OLIVINE

c) Rapid heating of water underground mat


have caused the alterations visible.

d) The name of this rock Basalt

Pyroxene

You might also like