Igneous Rock Lab
http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/geol101/Labs/Igneous/index.htm
Igneous Rock Identification Chart
COMPOSITION
Felsic
Intermediate
Mafic
Ultramafic
TEXTURE
Pegmatitic
Granite Pegmatite Diorite Pegmatite Gabbro Pegmatite
Phaneritic
Granite
Diorite
Gabbro
Aphanitic
Rhyolite
Andesite
Basalt
Porphyritic
Rhyolite
Andesite
Basalt
Glassy
Vesicular
Pyroclastic
Obsidian
Pumice
Dunite
Basaltic Glass
Scoria
Volcanic Tuff
Composition
Composition of igneous rocks is properly identified by determination of the rock's chemical composition. This,
however, requires chemical equipment and apparatus that is unavailable in this lab. Fortunately determination of
the exact chemical composition is not necessary. Color is often an indicator of the composition of a rock or mineral
and can be effectively used to identify the composition of most igneous rocks. Light colors, including white, light
gray, tan and pink, indicate a felsic composition. Felsic compositions are rich in silica (SiO2). Dark colors, such as
black and dark brown, indicate a mafic or ultramafic composition. Mafic compositions are poor in silica, but rich in
iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg). Intermediate compositions have an intermediate color, often gray or consisting of
equal parts of dark and light mineral . Beware that even though an igneous rock may have a felsic composition
(light color), the rock can contain dark colored minerals. Mafic rocks may contain light colored minerals as well. As
mentioned above, the composition of most igneous rocks can be identified using this system, formally known as the
Color Index. However, there are exceptions. The two most notable are obsidian and dunite. Obsidian is volcanic
glass which erupts as a lava flow. Most obsidian is felsic in composition, yet typically it will have a very dark color
(dark brown to black). Dunite has an ultramafic composition yet is apple green to yellowish green in color. Dunite
is composed almost entirely of the mineral olivine which usually contains both iron and magnesium.
Texture
The texture of an igneous rock does not refer to the roughness or smoothness of the surface. Textures are
based primarily on crystal size. Pegmatitic texture is composed of very large crystals (larger than 2-3 cm).
Phaneritic texture is composed of crystals which are large enough to see but smaller than pegmatitic texture,
and the entire rock is composed of crystals. Aphanitic texture is a fine grained texture but the crystals are too
small to see. Porphyritic texture is composed of crystals of two different sizes. Typically the large crystals
(phenocrysts) are visible while the smaller crystal are not (referred to as groundmass). Glassy texture is the
most readily recognized. The rock is composed entirely of glass. Few, if any, crystals will be visible. Vesicular
texture is formed when lava solidifies before gases are able to escape. The result is a "bubbly" appearance.
Lastly, pyroclastic texture is composed of volcanic fragments. These fragments or clasts can be very fine (ash)
or coarse (lapilli) or very coarse (bombs and blocks).