Pocket Guide Geology in The Field

Tom McCann
Pocket Guide
Geology in the Field
Pocket Guide Geology in the Field
Tom McCann
Pocket Guide
Geology in the
Field
Tom McCann
Steinmann-Institut für Geologie
Universität Bonn
Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Germany
ISBN 978-3-662-63081-5 ISBN 978-3-662-63082-2 (eBook)

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2
This book is a translation of the original German edition „Pocket Guide Geologie im
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V
Contents
1 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Minerals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1 Crystals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1.1 Crystal Symmetry and Crystal Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1.2 Crystal Habit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2 Mineral Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.2.1 Optical Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.2.2 Physical Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.2.3 Other Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.3 Selected Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.3.1 Native Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.3.2 Sulfides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.3.3 Halides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.3.4 Oxides and Hydroxides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.3.5 Carbonates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2.3.6 Sulfates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.3.7 Phosphates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
2.3.8 Silicates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3 Magmatic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
3.1 Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
3.2 Volcanoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3.3 Volcanic Eruption Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
3.4 Volcanic Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
3.4.1 Lavas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
3.4.2 Pyroclastics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
3.5 Structures and Textures of Magmatic Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
3.6 Classification of Magmatic Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
3.7 Plutonic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
3.8 Volcanic/Subvolcanic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
3.9 Pyroclastic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
3.10 Ultramafic Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4 Metamorphic Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
4.1 Metamorphic Facies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
4.2 Structures and Microstructures of Metamorphic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
4.3 Describing Metamorphic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4.4 Recognition and Classification of Metamorphic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
4.5 Contact Metamorphic Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
4.6 Regional Metamorphic Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
VI Contents
5 Sedimentary Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

5.1 Sediment Structures (Current and Wave Movement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
5.2 Post-Depositional Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
5.3 Biogenic Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.4 Mass Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
5.5 Describing Sedimentary Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
5.5.1 Clastic Sedimentary Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
5.5.2 Non-Clastic Sedimentary Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
5.5.3 Evaporites, Cherts, Iron-Rich Rocks, Phosphates and
Organic Sediments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
5.6 Selected Sedimentary Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
6 Fossils and Paleoecology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

6.1 Fossil Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Supplementary Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
1 1
Overview

T. McCann, Pocket Guide Geology in the Field,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2_1
2 Chapter 1 · Overview
Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids with a defined chemical compo-
1 sition and a specific crystal structure. They are the basic components of the Earth
as well as other celestial bodies (e.g., the Moon, meteorites).
Rocks are natural and stable aggregates or combinations of one or more min-
erals that can be divided into three main groups—magmatic, sedimentary, and
metamorphic (. Fig. 1.1, . Table 1.1).
Magmatic rocks are formed by the cooling of molten or partially molten ma-
terial (magma) on or within the Earth’s crust. Extrusive magmatic rocks (e.g., ba-
salts) form when magma cools on, or close to the surface, while intrusive mag-
matic rocks (e.g., granites) form as a result of cooling within the Earth. Dur-
ing the cooling process, characteristic minerals, and mineral series, are formed
(. Fig. 1.2).
Sedimentary rocks are formed either by the consolidation and cementation of
loose sediments (e.g., sands) or organic matter (e.g., coal) that were deposited in
layers on the Earth’s surface, or as a result of chemical precipitation (e.g., car-
bonates, evaporites) (. Fig. 1.2).
Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks that are transformed as
a result of changing temperatures and pressures. These new conditions result in
mineralogical, chemical, and structural changes.
1 Overview
3
. Fig. 1.1 The rock cycle (W: weathering; E: erosion). (After McCann and Valdivia Manchego 2015)
1
4 Chapter 1 · Overview
. Table 1.1 General properties of magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. (After

1 McCann and Valdivia Manchego 2015)
Plutonic rocks Volcanic rocks Metamorphic Sedimentary

rocks rocks
Crystallinity Crystalline Crystalline Crystalline Mainly com-
prise fragments
in a matrix/ce-
ment; some
limestones and
evaporites are
crystalline
Size of crys- Large crystals; Small crys- Mostly large Fragments
tals/fragments mineral size var- tals (not visible crystals (some (clasts/grains)
iable to the eye; mi- larger crystals, can be very
crocrystalline i.e., porphyro- variable (e.g.,
to glassy), with blasts). Crys- sandstone, con-
some large crystal sizes may be glomerate)
tals (porphy- constant within
ritic) individual layers
Composition Mostly ≥2 min- Mostly ≥2 min- May be mo- May be mo-
erals erals nomineralic nomineralic
(e.g., marble, (e.g., limestone,
quartzite), but dolomite), but
usually ≥2 min- usually ≥2 min-
erals erals
Color Color variable— Color variable— Color varia- Color very var-
light (e.g., acidic light (e.g., acidic ble—sometimes iable
composition) or composition) or banded (e.g.,
dark (e.g., basic dark (e.g., basic gneiss)
composition) composition)
Structures Normally no Sometimes with Often with par- Mostly pro-
stratification layering or flow allel structure nounced strat-
structures. Occa- (e.g., schistosity) ification/bed-
sional columnar ding
jointing
Fossils present No fossils Rare fossils (e.g., Rare fossils Often contain
tuffs) fossils
Reaction with Sometimes react Limestones re-
HCl with HCl act strongly
with HCl;
weaker reaction
in dolomites
1 Overview
5 1
. Fig. 1.2 Rock identification diagram

7 2
Minerals
Contents
2.1 Crystals – 8
2.1.1 Crystal Symmetry and Crystal Systems – 9
2.1.2 Crystal Habit – 9
2.2 Mineral Recognition – 12

2.2.1 Optical Properties – 13
2.2.2 Physical Properties – 16
2.2.3 Other Properties – 19
2.3 Selected Minerals – 21

2.3.1 Native Elements – 21
2.3.2 Sulfides – 23
2.3.3 Halides – 27
2.3.4 Oxides and Hydroxides – 29
2.3.5 Carbonates – 35
2.3.6 Sulfates – 37
2.3.7 Phosphates – 40
2.3.8 Silicates – 41

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2_2
8 Chapter 2 · Minerals
. Table 2.1 Frequency (by vol.) of minerals in the Earth’s crust (After Ronov and Yarosh-
ewsky 1969)
Mineral Percent by volume

2
Plagioclase 39
Alkali feldspars 12
Quartz 12
Pyroxene 11
Amphibole 5
Mica 5
Olivine 3
Clay minerals (+chlorite) 4.5
Calcite (+aragonite) 1.5
Magnetite (and titanomagnetite) 1.5
Dolomite 0.5
Others (garnet, kyanite, sillimanite, apatite, etc.) 4.9
While there are c. 4600 recognized minerals, only around 40 of these, including
quartz, feldspar, mica, pyroxene, amphibole, and olivine, are common rock-form-
ing minerals. Other important minerals include calcite, dolomite, magnetite, py-
rite, chlorite, clay minerals, epidote, magnetite, and hematite (. Table 2.1). The
rock-forming minerals can be divided into 3 groups:
5 Primary/Key minerals (>10% by volume): quartz, feldspar, pyroxene, amphi-
bole, biotite—these are the main components of the rock
5 Accessory minerals (1–10% by volume): zircon, apatite, titanite, tourmaline
etc.—although present in small amounts they can provide valuable informa-
tion with regard to the genesis of the rock
2.1 Crystals
Every crystal has a defined structure (crystal lattice) resulting from the spatial ar-
rangement of atoms or ions within a mineral. The lattice structure, which deter-
mines the geometric form of a crystal, also ensures that their chemical and phys-
ical properties are relatively uniform (except in zoned minerals). Differences in
crystal structure and/or chemistry can greatly influence mineral properties (e.g.,
graphite vs diamond).
Mineral description and identification is based on a range of factors, includ-
ing their crystallographic, physical and chemical properties, as well as their field
occurrence.
2.1 · Crystals
9 2
2.1.1 Crystal Symmetry and Crystal Systems
On the basis of their symmetry, crystals can be grouped into seven different sys-
tems (. Fig. 2.1). Minerals within each crystal system show particular habits (i.e.,
general shape).
5 Cubic system—basic cube form, including e.g., octahedron, rhombic dodeca-
hedron (e.g., galena, pyrite)
5 Tetragonal system—similar to the cubic system but with a longer axis forming
e.g., prisms and pyramids (e.g., chalcopyrite, rutile, zircon)
5 Orthorhombic system—similar to the crystals of the tetragonal system, except
for the lack of a square cross section (e.g., olivine)
5 Hexagonal system—6-sided prisms with a hexagonal cross section (e.g., apa-
tite, beryl)
5 Trigonal system—crystals of this system have a threefold axis of rotation in-
stead of sixfold as in the hexagonal system. In addition, the cross section of
the prismatic basic form is triangular unlike the 6-sided cross section in the
hexagonal system (e.g., calcite, dolomite, hematite, corundum, quartz).
5 Monoclinic system—like an oblique tetragonal system; two axes are vertical,
the third is oblique (e.g., augite, epidote, gypsum, hornblende, orthoclase)
5 Triclinic system—usually not symmetrical from one surface to the other, be-
cause all three crystal axes have different lengths and none are at right angles
to the others (e.g., microcline, plagioclase)
2.1.2 Crystal Habit
The characteristic shape of a crystal (crystal habit) can be very useful for the
identification of minerals, for example, garnets are often granular, while micas are
platy/foliated and amphiboles can be needle-like. Sometimes two crystals of the
same mineral grow together to form twins (. Fig. 2.2).
When identifying minerals in hand specimen it is particularly important to
note the presence of crystal faces. These can be divided into three groups:
5 Euhedral/Idiomorphic—mineral grains with well-developed crystal faces
5 Subhedral/Hypidiomorphic—mineral grains are partially enclosed by crystal
faces
5 Anhedral/Xenomorphic—mineral grains without any visible crystal surfaces
Particular habits (crystal shapes) can be useful for the precise identification of
mineral grains (. Fig. 2.3):
5 Granular or spherical—individual crystals are roughly equidimensional or
spheroidal, e.g., garnet, fluorite.
5 Tabular, lamellar, platy, or foliated—flat and tablet- or plate-like crystals, e.g.,
orthoclase (tabular), mica (foliated) and chlorite.
5 Prismatic, columnar, bladed, acicular/needle-like, or fibrous—rod-shaped crys-
tals, including, tourmaline (acicular prisms), gypsum and calcite (columnar),
a3
2 a2
a1
Cubic System
a 1= a 2= a 3 or a = b = c
α = β = γ = 90˚
a2
a1
Tetragonal System
a 1 = a 2 ≠ c or a = b ≠ c
α = β = γ = 90˚
b
a
Orthorhombic System
a≠b≠c
α = β = γ = 90˚
a
a
a
Hexagonal System
a1= a 2 = a3 ≠ c
Angle between a 1 and a 2 and a 3 (γ)= 120˚
Angle between a 1 , a 2 , a 3 and c = 120˚
. Fig. 2.1 Reference axes and crystallographic parameters of the seven crystal systems and some ex-
amples for each system. (After Hamilton et al. 1974; Markl 2004)
2.1 · Crystals
11 2
c
a a
a
Triagonal System
a 1= a 2 = a 3 ≠ c
Angle between a 1 and a 2 and a 3 (γ)= 120˚
Angle between a 1 , a 2 , a 3 und c = 120˚
a
b
Monoclinic System
a≠b≠c
α = γ = 90˚, β ≠ 90˚
b
a
Triclinic System
a≠b≠c
α≠β≠γ
α = Angle between b and c
β = Angle between a and c
γ = Angle between a and b
. Fig. 2.1 (continued)
topaz, rutile and amphibole (all prismatic), kyanite (bladed) and chrysotile (fi-
brous).
5 Dendritic—branched crystals, e.g., copper, manganese.
. Fig. 2.2 Twin forms in minerals. a Swallowtail in gypsum. b Lamellar albite twinning in plagi-
oclase. c Twin interpenetration in fluorite with cubic morphology, d Twin interpenetration (iron cross)
in dodecahedral pyrite, e Cruciform twinning in staurolite. f Carlsbad twining in orthoclase. (After
Wenk and Bulakh 2004)
Some minerals also exist as crystal aggregates. While it may not be possible to
recognise individual crystals in these aggregates, the overall shape of the aggre-
gate may be diagnostic, for example, botryoidal or mamillary (e.g., hematite, mala-
chite), or radiating (e.g., millerite) (. Fig. 2.4).
2.2 Mineral Recognition
Rocks are mineral aggregates, with the individual minerals being in direct contact
with one another. In general, rocks—especially those formed by magmatic and
metamorphic processes—are more or less in chemical equilibrium at the time of
formation. Therefore, the minerals or groups of minerals present within the rock
are linked by their shared genesis, as well as by their chemical relationship with
one another. Thus, the identity of an unknown mineral can be partially deter-
mined by the presence of another mineral (. Table 2.2).
2.2 · Mineral Recognition
13 2
. Fig. 2.3 Crystal habits: a–c Equant: a Pyrite with dodecahedron and cube. b Sphalerite with dom-
inant tetrahedron. c Equiaxial hematite; d–g Prismatic/Elongate: d Barrel-shaped corundum. e Pris-
matic calcite. f Acicular hematite. g Acicular stibnite; h–j Flattened and tabular: h Tabular orthoclase.
i Platy muscovite. j Platy hematite. (After Wenk and Bulakh 2004)
Macroscopic determination of minerals in the field is done with simple tools

such as a hand lens, a hardness scale, a streak plate (unglazed porcelain), a mag-
net and dilute (10%) hydrochloric acid (HCl). Mineral recognition begins with the
determination of the luster—either metallic or non-metallic. The next stage is to
classify the various minerals in each of these main groups (metallic/non-metallic)
according to their hardness and color (. Figs. 2.5 and 2.6). Finally, other diag-
nostic properties can be used to confirm the identification (. Fig. 2.7).
2.2.1 Optical Properties
The optical properties of a mineral are dependent on the interaction of light with
the mineral.
. Fig. 2.4 Examples of morphologies in mineral aggregates. a rounded with concentric layers (ag-
ate). b radial mineral aggregate (pyrite). c reniform, botryoidal (hematite). d parallel, fibrous (actino-
lite). e radial, acicular (aragonite). f. platy, scaly, foliated laminae (muscovite). (After Hamilton et al.
1974; Schumann 2007)
z Luster
The luster of a mineral is determined by the amount of light reflected from its
surface. The main classification, as mentioned above, is metallic (e.g., mercury,
copper, gold, pyrite), which have high reflectivity, submetallic (similar to metallic,
but duller and less reflective), or non-metallic. The luster of non-metallic minerals
is described below:
5 Adamantine luster—zircon, sphalerite, diamond
5 Waxy/greasy/resinous luster—apatite, nepheline, halite, plaster, talc
5 Vitreous luster—quartz, amphibole, pyroxene, olivine, feldspar, baryte, anhy-
drite, dolomite, calcite, kyanite, epidote
5 Pearly luster—gypsum
5 Silky luster—asbestos
5 Earthy/dull luster—goethite, clay minerals, hematite, chlorite
z Transparency/Diaphaneity
Transparency is a measure of the amount of light absorbed by a mineral. Min-
erals can therefore be classified as transparent (e.g., calcite, chlorite, corundum),
translucent (e.g., mica) or opaque (e.g., pyrite).
15 2
. Table 2.2 Important igneous and metamorphic minerals. (After Blatt et al. 2006)
Minerals in magmatites Minerals in metamorphic rocks
Silicon dioxide
Quartz Quartz
Alkali feldspars
Sanidine, orthoclase, microcline Sanidine, orthoclase
Plagioclase feldspars
Albite, anorthite, plagioclase Albite, anorthite, plagioclase
Orthosilicates
Olivine, garnet, titanite, epidote, zir- Olivine, garnet, staurolite, chloritoid, titanite, epidote,
con, topaz zircon, topaz, kyanite
Pyroxenes
Orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene Orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene
Amphiboles
Hornblende Hornblende
Sheet silicates
Muscovite, biotite Muscovite, biotite, chlorite, serpentine
Ring silicates
Tourmaline, cordierite Tourmaline, cordierite
Oxides
Spinel, magnetite, hematite, ilmenite Spinel, hematite, ilmenite
Sulfides
Pyrite, chalcopyrite Pyrite, chalcopyrite
Other non-silicate minerals
Apatite, calcite,
magnesite, dolo-
mite, diamond
z Color
Most minerals can have a range of different colors (. Table 2.3). For example,
garnet can be red, yellow, colorless, and even black. In general, color alone is not
characteristic enough to uniquely identify a mineral.
z Streak
Streak is the color of the fine powder produced when a mineral is rubbed across
an unglazed porcelain plate. The color may be characteristic (. Table 2.4). It is
particularly useful for opaque ore minerals (e.g., sulfides, oxides), especially those
with metallic or submetallic lusters.
. Fig. 2.5 Classification of minerals with metallic and submetallic luster based on their hardness (in
brackets) and color, with examples. (After Wenk and Bulakh 2004)
2.2.2 Physical Properties
z Hardness
Mineral hardness is closely related to the chemical composition and the crystal-
line structure of the mineral—and, in particular, to the stability of the chemical
bonds between the individual atoms/ions.
17 2
. Fig. 2.6 Classification of minerals with metallic and submetallic lusters. (After Markl 2004)
The hardness of a mineral defines its resistance to scratching, and is measured

using the Mohs scale. Each mineral can scratch the minerals above it on the scale:
1. Talc (soft)
2. Gypsum
3. Calcite
4. Fluorite
5. Apatite
6. Feldspar (Orthoclase)
7. Quartz
8. Topaz
9. Corundum
10. Diamond (hard)
Minerals with a hardness of 1 feel soapy or greasy. A fingernail has a hardness

of about 2.5. A copper coin has a hardness of about 3. A steel pocket knife has a
hardness of about 5.5. Minerals with a hardness of >6 can scratch glass.
z Cleavage and Fracture

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to preferentially break along smooth planes
of weakness in the crystal lattice (. Fig. 2.8). Cleavage can be perfect (mica—in
1 direction, calcite—in 3 directions), good (gypsum), indistinct/poor (apatite, chal-
. Fig. 2.7 Classification of minerals with non-metallic lusters. (After Markl 2004)
copyrite), or a mineral may have no cleavage (magnetite, garnet). Some minerals

may also have more than one cleavage plane and in such cases the angle between
the planes can also be of great importance for mineral identification (e.g., 90° an-
gle for pyroxene, 124°/56° for amphibole).
Fractures occur when a mineral breaks along an irregularly-oriented surface
that does not correspond to a cleavage plane (common in minerals with poor or
no cleavage). Fracture can be uneven/irregular (e.g., pyrite, anhydrite), or con-
choidal (i.e., smooth curved surfaces such as quartz or obsidian); these latter are
also brittle. Subconchoidal fractures are similar to conchoidal, but not as curved.
19 2
. Table 2.3 Characteristic colours of common minerals. (After Wenk and Bulakh 2004)
Minerals Gemstone Color

Fluorite Violet, yellow, green, red
Halite Mostly colorless, white, blue, yellow
Topaz Blue, yellow
Corundum Ruby Red
Sapphire Blue
Garnet Spessartine Yellow orange
Almandine Dark red
Beryl Emerald Dark green
Aquamarine Blue-green
Morganite Pink to purple
Kyanite Blue
Topaz Imperial topaz Golden
Tourmaline Rubellite Pink to red
Quartz Amethyst Purple
Citrine Yellow
Rose quartz Pink
Smoky quartz Brown
Tiger eye Golden yellow
Olivine Peridote Green
Turquoise Blue
In metals, the fracture may be hackly, while fibrous minerals may have a splintery
fracture (e.g., kyanite).
2.2.3 Other Properties
Some minerals have additional properties that can be important in distinguishing

them. Examples, include:
Feel – Talc and serpentine feel slippery or “soapy” when rubbed between the fingers.
Taste – Certain water-soluble minerals have a distinct taste (e.g., halite—salty).
Tenacity – the reaction of a mineral to stress. Minerals can be brittle, sectile (can
be cut with a knife), malleable (can be flattened into a sheet), ductile (can be
stretched into a wire), or flexible.
Magnetism – Some minerals (e.g., magnetite) are magnetic.
Density – Some minerals have a high specific gravity due to their chemical compo-
sition, and thus feel heavy in the hand (e.g., galena).
. Table 2.4 Characteristic streaks of common minerals. (After Wenk and Bulakh 2004)
Streak Mineral
2 Metallic streak
Gold-yellow Gold
Silver-white Silver
Copper red Copper
Non-metallic streak
Black Graphite, ilmenite, magnetite
Greenish-black Chalcopyrite, pyrite
Brownish-black Pyrite, marcasite
Gray-black Galena, marcasite, arsenopyrite (dark)
Gray Graphite, stibnite, molybdenite, (blue to green)
Brown Sphalerite (pale to colorless), rutile (pale)
Brownish-red Hematite, manganite
Brownish-yellow Goethite
Red Hematite (dark)
Green Malachite (pale)
Blue Azurite (pale), lazurite
. Fig. 2.8 Examples of cleavage in minerals. a Single cleavage causing mineral to break into flakes
(mica). b two dominant cleavages resulting in prismatic or fibrous fragments (amphibole). c Three
cleavages at 90° producing cubic fragments (halite) d octahedral cleavage (fluorite). e Symmetrical
trigonal cleavage (calcite). The angle between the cleavage faces can also be used to identify the miner-
als, e.g., f pyroxene, and g amphibole. (After Wenk and Bulakh 2004)
2.3 · Selected Minerals
21 2
2.3 Selected Minerals
2.3.1 Native Elements
z Gold, Au—Cubic
Gold (Nugget)
Habit – grains, irregular rounded masses (nuggets), dendritic forms; rarely crystals
Hardness – 2.5–3
Cleavage – none
Fracture – hackly
Color/Transparency – characteristic golden yellow; opaque
Streak – gold-yellow
Luster – metallic
Distinguishing features – color, low hardness, gold can be confused with pyrite or
chalcopyrite, but differs greatly in hardness, color, ductility and malleability
Occurrence – hydrothermal veins, often associated with quartz, also concentrated
in alluvial sediments (due to density)
z Silver, Ag—Cubic
Silver (Photo J. Burrow)
Habit – wire-, hair- or moss-shaped to dendritic aggregates, crystals are rare

Cleavage – none
Fracture – hackly
Color/Transparency – silver-white, tarnishes quickly and is then usually yellow to
brown/black due to the silver sulfide coating; opaque
23 2
Streak – silver-white-yellowish
Luster – metallic
Distinguishing features – color, tarnish, ductility and malleability
Occurrence – hydrothermal veins
2.3.2 Sulfides
z Galena, PbS—Cubic
Galena
Habit – often cubes or octahedra, also blocky, massive or granular aggregates

Cleavage – cubic, perfect
Color/Transparency – lead gray, occasionally matt tarnish; opaque
Streak – gray-black
Luster – metallic
Distinguishing features – color, metallic luster, perfect cubic cleavage, high density
Occurrence – the most important and common Pb ore mineral, often found in hy-
drothermal deposits, pegmatites and sedimentary rocks
z Sphalerite, ZnS—Cubic
Sphalerite
Habit – often tetrahedral or rhombododecahedral, also granular or botryoidal ag-

gregates
Cleavage – perfect
Fracture – conchoidal to uneven
Color/Transparency – often yellow, red-brown, green or black; transparent to
translucent, never completely opaque
Streak – dark brown to yellowish
Luster – greasy, adamantine especially on cleavage surfaces
Distinguishing features – cleavage, luster, and color (although variable, it is usually
yellow to dark brown)
Occurrence – most important Zn ore metal, often found in hydrothermal deposits
and limestones
25 2
z Chalcopyrite, CuFeS2—Tetragonal
Chalcopyrite
Habit – crystals often tetrahedra, also massive or rarely botryoidal aggregates

Twinning – penetration twins, sometimes contact twinning (spinel type)
Cleavage – poor
Fracture – conchoidal, uneven
Color/Transparency – brass yellow, often with greenish tarnish; opaque
Streak – green-black
Luster – metallic
Distinguishing features – can be distinguished from pyrite by color and hardness,
from gold by hardness and brittle nature
Occurrence – important Cu ore metal, often found in hydrothermal deposits and
igneous and metamorphic rocks
z Pyrite, Fe2S—Cubic
Pyrite
Habit – often cubes (with striations), pyritohedron and octahedron, or combina-

tions; also massive, globular, or radiating aggregates
Twinning – penetration and contact twins
Hardness – 6–6.5
Cleavage – indistinct
Fracture – uneven to conchoidal
Color/Transparency – brass yellow; opaque
Streak – green-black
Luster – metallic
Distinguishing features – distinguished from gold by hardness, habit and brittle
nature, and from chalcopyrite by color and hardness
Occurrence – often found in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary (black shales) and
metamorphic (contact zones) rocks. Often replaces fossils
27 2
2.3.3 Halides
z Halite, NaCl—Cubic
Halite (Photo J. Burow)
Habit – mainly cubes, but also granular or sometimes fibrous aggregates. Occa-
sionally, cubic pseudomorphs of clay after halite are found
Hardness – 2.5
Cleavage – cubic, perfect
Fracture – conchoidal
Color/Transparency – colorless or white, sometimes yellow, gray, brown-black, red
and blue; transparent to translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – soluble in water, perfcct cubic cleavage, salty taste
Occurrence – a common evaporite mineral, often interbedded with sylvine, anhy-
drite or gypsum. Halite crusts are also found in deserts or along the margins of
salt lakes.
z Fluorite, CaF2—Cubic
Fluorite
Habit – mainly cubes, sometimes octahedral or intergrown/twinned as tetrakis

hexahedron or hexakis octahedron, also as colored banded aggregates. May show
zoning
Hardness – 4 (standard mineral on the Mohs hardness scale)
Cleavage – cubic/octahedral, perfect
Fracture – conchoidal, brittle
Color/Transparency – color is variable, often yellow, green, violet, blue, purple,
sometimes colorless, pink, red, and black; translucent to transparent. Many fluor-
ites fluoresce weakly in UV light, due to the presence of rare earth elements in the
crystal structure
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – cubic habit, cleavage, fluorescence
Occurrence – common in magmatites and ore deposits, also in hydrothermal veins
29 2
2.3.4 Oxides and Hydroxides
z Spinel Group—Spinel, MgAl2O4—Cubic
Spinel
Habit – often as octahedral crystals, also massive aggregates

Cleavage – none
Color/Transparency – variable, often red, but also blue, green, brown, black or col-
ourless; transparent to opaque
Streak – white, but also gray or brown
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – habit, twin shape (spinel twins), hardness. Substitution
of Mg atoms by Fe, Zn, and Mn atoms results in differences in color and physi-
cal properties
Occurrences – found in igneous (e.g., gabbro) and metamorphic (e.g., carbonates
in areas of contact metamorphism, slate) rocks. The deep red colored spinel is a
valuable gemstone
z Magnetite, Fe3O4—Cubic
Magnetite
Habit – often as octahedral crystals, less commonly dodecahedral, also as granu-

lar/massive ore
Hardness – 5.5–6.5
Cleavage – none
Fracture – subconchoidal to uneven, brittle
Color/Transparency – black; opaque
Streak – black
Luster – metallic to submetallic
Distinguishing features – strongly magnetic, color, streak, hardness
Occurences – found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in areas of hydrother-
mal replacement; as a differentiation product of basic magmatic rocks (e.g., dia-
base) it forms important iron ore deposits
31 2
z Corundum, Al2O3—Trigonal
Corundum (Photo R. Schumacher)
Habit – often columnar or flat, tabular, barrel-shaped crystals. Also bipyramidal

hexagons wider in the center and tapering at the ends
Cleavage – none
Fracture – uneven to conchoidal
Color/Transparency – two main types: blue (sapphire, contains Fe and Ti) and red
(ruby, contains Cr). Also yellow, brown, green, or colorless; translucent to trans-
parent/opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, adamantine
Distinguishing features – hardness, density, habit
Occurrence – found in magmatic (e.g., nepheline syenite, nepheline syenite pegma-
tite) and metamorphic (e.g., marble, hornfels, gneiss) rocks. As placer deposits in
some alluvial sands and gravels
z Hematite, Fe2O3—Trigonal
Hematite
Habit – tabular or rhombohedral, sometimes thin plates. Often massive, mammi-

lated, botryoidal, reniform, or radial aggregates
Hardness – 5–6
Cleavage – none
Fracture – uneven, brittle
Color/Transparency – red, steel gray to black, sometimes banded or iridescent;
opaque
Streak – red to red-brown
Luster – metallic, dull
Distinguishing features – streak, hardness, habit
Occurrence – an important iron ore found in banded iron formations, as well as
in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary (e.g., ooliths), igneous and metamorphic
rocks
33 2
z Ilmenite, FeTiO3—Trigonal
Ilmenite
Habit – tabular or pyramidal crystals, including granular or massive aggregates

Hardness – 5–6
Cleavage – none, occasional parting
Color/Transparency – black; opaque
Streak – black to reddish brown
Luster – metallic to submetallic
Distinguishing features – streak, weakly magnetic
Occurrence – often found in magmatic rocks (e.g., gabbro, basalt), in quartz veins
and some gneisses. Also as alluvial sands. An important titanium ore.
z Goethite, FeO(OH)—Orthorhombic
Goethite
Habit – acicular/needle-shaped or fibrous radiating crystals, sometimes botryoidal

or reniform aggregates.
Color/transparency – black, brown, yellow and orange; translucent to opaque
Streak – brown, yellowish
Luster – silky, dull, adamantine (crystals)
Distinguishing features – color, streak, habit
Occurrence – secondary formation through oxidation/weathering of ferrous min-
erals (e.g., pyrite, magnetite). Also as iron ores (oolites) and as a precipitate (e.g.,
bog iron ore). Replaces other minerals (e.g., pseudomorphs after pyrite, gypsum)
35 2
2.3.5 Carbonates
z Calcite, CaCO3—Trigonal
Calcite
Habit – often tabular, acicular, or prismatic crystals (rhombohedron, scalenohe-

dron), also as stalagmites/stalactites, columnar, fibrous, or massive aggregates
Color/Transparency – mostly colorless, milky white, also gray, yellow, green, red,
purple, blue, brown and black; transparent to translucent, sometimes opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – cleavage, hardness, strong effervescent reaction with hy-
drochloric acid, transparent crystals show strong double refraction
Occurrence – One of the most common minerals and predominantly sedimentary
in origin (e.g., limestone, marl, tufa). Also in metamorphic (e.g., marble) or mag-
matic (e.g., carbonatite) rocks.
z Dolomite, CaMg(CO3)2—Trigonal
Dolomite
Habit – rhombohedral crystals, often with curved saddle-like faces. Also massive,
granular aggregates
Color/Transparency – often white, sometimes colorless, pink, yellowish to brown-
ish, sometimes pink; transparent to translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, pearly
Distinguishing features – similar to calcite, powdered dolomite has an effervescent
reaction with hydrochloric acid
Occurrence – often a diagenetic product (replacement of Ca by Mg), also as a
gangue mineral in hydrothermal veins
37 2
z Malachite, Cu2CO3(OH)2—Monoclinic
Malachite
Habit – banded massive, botryoidal, reniform or fibrous radial aggregates

Fracture – splintery/uneven, brittle
Color/Transparency – green; opaque to transluscent
Streak – light green
Luster – vitreous, silky
Distinguishing features – color, habit, effervescent reaction with hydrochloric acid
Occurrence – an oxidation product of copper deposits
2.3.6 Sulfates
z Barite (Baryte), BaSO4—Orthorhombic
Barite (with fluorite)

Habit – tabular, sometimes prismatic or fibrous crystals. Also bladed, massive,

nodular or coxcomb aggregates
2 Cleavage – perfect
Fracture – uneven
Color/Transparency – colorless, white, yellow, brown, blue, green or red; transpar-
ent to translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – density (high specific gravity), habit, hardness
Occurrence – as a gangue mineral associated with lead, copper, silver, zinc, iron
or nickel ores. Replaces other minerals, but also organic materials (e.g., fossils,
wood). Forms characteristic concretions (e.g., desert rose)
z Anhydrite, CaSO4—Orthorhombic
Anhydrite
Habit – rare tabular or prismatic crystals, often fibrous. Also massive or nodular
aggregates
Fracture – uneven
Color/transparency – colorless, white, blue, gray or red; transparent to translucent
Streak – white
39 2
Distinguishing features – cleavage (three cleavages at 90°), hardness, density
Occurrence – found in sediments (deposits directly from warm sea water), or
above salt domes. Also forms due to the dehydration of gypsum
z Gypsum, CaSO4.2H2O—Monoclinic
Gypsum
Habit – tabular crystals, sometimes curved, also fibrous, prismatic, bladed, mas-
sive, granular aggregates
Fracture – uneven
Color/Transparency – colorless, white, yellow, gray, red, and brown; transparent to
translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, pearly, silky
Distinguishing features – hardness, cleavage, swallowtail/fishtail twins
Occurence – common in sedimentary rocks (e.g., limestones). Also associated with
salt deposits and less commonly in areas where sulfide oxidation has occurred.
Forms in sandy areas (e.g., desert rose) and due to the hydration of anhydrite
2.3.7 Phosphates
z Apatite, Ca5(F, Cl, OH)|(PO4)3—Hexagonal

2
Apatite
Habit – often columnar, tabular, hexagonal or flat crystals, also as granular, fi-
brous, or radiating aggregates
Color/transparency – colorless, white, yellow, green to gray-green, brown, blue or
red; transparent to translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, waxy
Distinguishing features – habit, hardness
Occurrence – found in many magmatic rocks (e.g., granite pegmatite, nepheline
syenite), also in high-temperature hydrothermal veins and in regional or contact
metamorphic rocks (e.g., hornfels). Apatite is a main component in bones and
tooth enamel
41 2
2.3.8 Silicates
Orthosilicates
z Olivine, (Mg, Fe)2SiO4—Orthorhombic
Olivine
A mineral group with varying compositions, ranging from forsterite (Mg2SiO4)

through to fayalite (Fe2SiO4)
Habit – mostly isolated crystals (prismatic, tabular), or as granular aggregates
Color/Transparency – green, sometimes yellow (in basalts) or brown to black, red-
dish when oxidized; transparent to translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – color (olive green), fracture. Physical properties vary de-
pending on the proportions of Mg and Fe present
Occurrence – a range of basic/ultrabasic magmatic rocks (e.g., basalt, gabbro,
peridotite). Dunite comprises almost 100% olivine. Olivine is common in some
meteorites, as well as in lunar basalt
z Garnet group, X3Y2Si3O12 (X = Ca, Mn, Mg or Fe2+; Y = Al, Cr, or Fe3+)—Cubic
Garnet
The garnet mineral group comprises the following end members:

5 Pyrope-Almandine-Spessartine Group:
– Pyrope Mg3Al2Si3O12;
– Almandine Fe3Al2Si3O12;
5 Spessartine Mn3Al2Si3O12
5 Grossular-Uvarovite-Andradite Group:
– Grossular Ca3Al2Si3O12;
– Uvarovite Ca3Cr2Si3O12;
– Andradite Ca3Fe2Si3O12.
Within (but not between) each group there is continuous atomic substitution.
Habit – often well-formed dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals, also coarse or
granular aggregates
Cleavage – none
Color/Transparency – varies with composition, dark red, brown to black (pyrope,
almandine and spessartine), green (uvarovite), brown, light green or white (gros-
sular), yellow, brown or black (andradite); transparent to opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, resinous, adamantine
Distinguishing features – hardness, habit
Occurrence – found in metamorphic (e.g., schist, gneiss) and some magmatic (e.g.,
peridotite, granite, pegmatite) rocks. Also common in alluvial sands (e.g., beach,
river)
43 2
z Group Silicates
Kyanite (Disthene), Al2SiO5—Triclinic
Kyanite
Habit – long, slender, bladed crystals, also radial aggregates

Hardness – 5.5–7 (hardness is variable, 5.5 along crystal length, and 6–7 across the
crystal)
Color/Transparency – blue, white, also gray, green or black (color is often uneven);
transparent to translucent
Luster – vitreous, sometimes pearly
Distinguishing features – color, habit, cleavage, variable hardness
Occurrence – found in metamorphic (e.g., schist, gneiss) and magmatic (e.g., gran-
ite pegmatite) rocks. Also in quartz veins
z Topaz, Al2SiO4(OH,F)2—Orthorhombic
Topaz
Habit – prismatic crystals, often striated, also columnar, massive, radiating and
granular aggregates
Cleavage – perfect (basal)
Fracture – subconchoidal, uneven
Color/Transparency – colorless, yellow, light blue, green and pink; transparent to
opaque
Streak – colorless
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – habit, hardness, cleavage
Occurrence – found in acidic magmatic rocks (e.g., granite pegmatite, rhyolite), al-
luvial sediments and quartz veins
45 2
z Staurolite, (Fe, Mg)2(Al,Fe)xSi4O20(O,OH)2—Monoclinic, Pseudo-Orthorhombic
Staurolite
Habit – prismatic crystals, sometimes tabular, often twinned (staurolite twins),

rare aggregates
Cleavage – good
Color/Transparency – reddish brown to brown-black; translucent to almost
opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, resinous
Distinguishing features – color, habit (especially with cross-shaped penetration
twins)
Occurrence – found in metamorphic rocks (e.g., schist, gneiss)
z Group Silicates
Epidote Group
General formula is X2Y3Si3O12(OH), where X is often Ca and Y is normally Al
and Fe3+, partially replaced by Mg and Fe2+ in some forms.
z Zoisite, Ca2Al2Si2O12(OH)—Orthorhombic
Habit – prismatic crystals (often striated), also radial, fibrous or massive aggre-
gates
2 Color/Transparency – gray, yellow, pink, blue, light green or brown; transparent
(strongly pleochroic) to translucent
Streak – white
Distinguishing features – color, cleavage
Occurrence – found in contact (e.g. gneiss, hornfels) and regional (e.g. schist) met-
amorphic rocks. Also in metasomatic rocks and rarely in granites.
z Clinozoisite, Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH) and Epidote, Ca2(Al,Fe)3Si3O12(OH)—Monoclinic
Epidote (scale: 2 cm)
Habit – prismatic crystals, sometimes striated, also massive, fibrous, granular or

radial aggregates
Hardness – 6–7
Fracture – uneven
47 2
Color/Transparency – green-gray (clinozoisite), olive-green, brownish-green and
yellow-green to black (epidote); transparent to almost opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – color, habit
Occurrence – found in contact (e.g., hornfels, metamorphosed limestone) and re-
gional (e.g., schist) metamorphic rocks. Also in magmatic rocks (e.g., basalt, granite)
Ring Silicates
z Tourmaline Group, (Ca, Na, K)(Li, Mg, Fe2+, Mn2+, Al, Cr3+, V3+, Fe3+, Ti4+)3(Mg, Al,
Fe3+, V3+, Cr3+)6((Oh)4|(BO3)3|(Si8O18))—Trigonal
Quartz with tourmaline
Habit – elongate prismatic crystals, often striated, and often with a triangular
cross section; also columnar or radiating (rarely massive) aggregates
Color/Transparency – highly variable (due to composition) but usually black/blue-
2 black, also colorless, blue, pink, purple or green; transparent to opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – habit, striation, color, cross section, hardness
Occurrence – found in acid magmatic (e.g., granite pegmatite, rhyolite) and meta-
morphic (e.g. schist, gneiss, marble) rocks
z Chain Silicates
Pyroxene Group
The general formula is X2Si2O6, where X is often Mg, Fe, Mn, Li, Ti, Al, Ca or
Na. The most common pyroxenes are Ca-, Mg-, or Fe-silicates, with two main
groups—the orthopyroxenes are orthorhombic and have little Ca, while the clino-
pyroxenes are monoclinic and contain either Ca or Na, Al, Fe3+, or Li.
z Orthopyroxene—Orthorhombic
Hypersthene
5 Enstatite, MgSiO3
5 Hypersthene, (Mg,Fe)SiO3
Habit – prismatic, columnar crystals, often as fibrous, or radiating aggregates

Hardness – 5–6
Cleavage – good
Color/Transparency – gray, pale green, yellow–brown, greenish-brown, brown or
green-black; transparent to opaque
Streak – grey-white, light brown
49 2
Luster – vitreous
Distinguishing features – cleavage (2 faces at 90°), color
Occurrence – found in magmatic rocks (e.g. gabbro, pyroxenite, andesite), also in
some meteorites
z Clinopyroxene—Monoclinic
5 Diopside-Hedenbergite Series, Ca(Mg,Fe)Si2O6
5 Augite, (Ca,Mg,Fe,Ti,Al)(Al,Si)2O6
Habit – prismatic, tabular, columnar crystals with a rectangular or octagonal cross

section, also granular, massive, or fibrous aggregates
Cleavage – good
Color/Transparency – green, gray, white, yellow, light blue (diopside), dark green
to black (augite), translucent to opaque
Streak – white (diopside), gray-green (augite)
Luster – vitreous, dull
Distinguishing features – color, habit, cleavage (2 faces at 90°)
Occurrence – augite is found in magmatic rocks (e.g., basalt, gabbro, pyroxenite)
while diopside is present in metamorphic rocks (e.g., hornfels, skarn deposits)
Amphibole Group
z Hornblende, (Na, K)0–1 (Ca,Na)2(Mg,Fe,Al)5(Si,Al)8O22(OH)2—Monoclinic
Hornblende
Habit – prismatic crystals (sometimes 6-sided cross section), also columnar, fi-
brous or radiating aggregates
Hardness – 5–6
2 Cleavage – perfect
Color/Transparency – light to dark green, black, dark brown; translucent to al-
most opaque
Luster – vitreous, submetallic
Distinguishing features – color, habit, cleavage (2 faces at 120°)
Occurrence – found in many magmatic rocks (e.g., granodiorite, diorite, syenite,
gabbro, and the associated extrusive volcanics), but also in metamorphic rocks
(e.g., hornblende schist, amphibolite)
Sheet Silicates
z Talc, Mg3Si4O10(OH)2—Monoclinic
Talc
Habit – rare crystals, often granular, foliated, radiating or fibrous aggregates (of-
ten forms pseudomorphs of other minerals)
Fracture – uneven
Color/Transparency – white, gray, light green, yellow or blue; translucent to
opaque
Streak – white to pale green
Luster – pearly, greasy, waxy
51 2
Distinguishing features – hardness, greasy/soapy feel, color
Occurrence – often an alteration product of olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole.
Within faults in Mg-rich rocks. Also in metamorphic rocks (e.g. schist, altered do-
lomite)
z Mica Group
There are two main mica groups—one rich in Fe and Mg (biotite) and one rich in
Al (muscovite).
z Muscovite, KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2—Monoclinic, Pseudo-Hexagonal
Muscovite
Habit – tabular, foliated crystals (sometimes with a hexagonal outline), also scaly,
or flaky aggregates
Cleavage – perfect (individual leaves are flexible and elastic)
Fracture – uneven
Color/Transparency – colorless, white, yellow, gray, green or brown; transparent to
translucent
Distinguishing features – cleavage, color
Occurrence – commonly found in magmatic (e.g., granite, pegmatite) and meta-
morphic (e.g., schist, gneiss) rocks. Also as an alteration product (sericite)
z (Phlogopite) Biotite Series

5 Phlogopite, KMg3AlSi3O10(OH,F)2monoclinic
5 Biotite, K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(OH,F)2monoclinic
2
Biotite
Habit – tabular flakes (sometimes hexagonal outline), also foliated, or scaly aggre-
gates
Fracture – uneven
Color/Transparency – brown, reddish brown, yellow brown, yellow or green (phlo-
gopite), black, dark brown or dark green (biotite); transparent to translucent
Luster – vitreous, pearly, (submetallic on cleavage faces)
Distinguishing features – cleavage, habit
Occurrence – phlogopite is found in Mg-rich magmatic rocks and metamorphosed
limestones and dolomites. Biotite occurs in granites, syenites, diorites, and their
volcanic equivalents and in some metamorphic rocks (e.g., schist, gneiss)
53 2
z Chlorite Group, (Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8—Monoclinic
A collective name for a group of minerals with similar compositions.
Chlorite
Habit – pseudohexagonal tabular crystals, also foliated, scaly, or platy aggregates

Hardness – 2–3
Cleavage – perfect (individual scales are flexible, but not elastic)
Color/Transparency – green, black, more rarely yellow, red, brown; transparent to
translucent
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, pearly, dull
Distinguishing features – color, cleavage, slightly greasy feel
Occurrence – in metamorphic rocks (e.g., slate, schist) or as an alteration product
of other minerals (e.g., pyroxene, amphibole, mica) in magmatic rocks. Also as
amygdules in vesicular volcanic rocks or as detrital grains in sediments
Framework Silicates
z Quartz, SiO2—Trigonal
2
Quartz: a Quartz crystal aggregate (Rock crystal), b Smoky quartz
Habit – crystals are mostly prismatic, varying in shape and size, the prisms are
mostly hexagonal (often with horizontal striations). Also drusy, granular, bladed,
globular and massive aggregates
Cleavage – none
Color/Transparency – pure quartz is colorless; the main colored varieties are listed
below; transparent to opaque
55 2
Luster – vitreous
Varieties of quartz – there are many varieties, distinguished by color, transpar-
ency, and other characteristics: rock crystal (colorless, transparent), smoky quartz
(smoky brown, transparent to translucent), citrine (lemon yellow, transparent
to translucent), amethyst (violet to purple, translucent) and rose quartz (pink to
cloudy pink)
Distinguishing features – habit, fracture, luster, hardness
Occurrence – quartz is a common mineral in many magmatic and metamorphic
rocks, especially granite and gneiss, but also as detrital grains in clastic sediments.
Also a common gangue mineral
z Chalcedony, SiO2—Trigonal
Habit – microcrystalline variety of quartz, occurs as mammilary, stalactitic, mas-
sive, radial or bulbous aggregates
Cleavage – none
Color/Transparency – white, blue, red, green, pink, brown, black, colorless and of-
ten banded; transparent to translucent
Varieties of chalcedony – the varieties differ in color, transparency, and other char-
acteristics: carnelian (pink, red), agate (finely banded), moss agate (milky white
with dendritic growths of manganese oxide), onyx (black and white bands), jas-
per (opaque, intensely colored chalcedony, usually brown, red, yellow, or green),
flint and chert (grey to black, opaque)
Distinguishing features – habit, fracture, hardness
Occurrence – found as cavity linings, in geodes and veins in a variety of rocks. It
also forms pseudomorphs, for example, coral or wood (petrified wood)
z Opal, SiO2 n H2O—Amorphous

Habit – massive, botryoidal, stalactitic, nodular and rounded forms, also as veins
Cleavage – none
Color/Transparency – colorless, white, gray, red, brown, blue, green, black, and
banded; transparent to milky translucent and opaque. Precious opals show a
vivid play of colors (opalescence)
Distinguishing features – habit, opalescence, density (less dense than chalcedony)
Occurrence – found in veins in many rock types, but especially next to geysers or
hot springs. Opal also forms the skeleton of many organisms (e.g., radiolaria, dia-
toms, sponges); their deposits can form opal-rich sediments (e.g. diatomite)
z Feldspar Group
Feldspars are the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust (>60%), particu-
larly in metamorphic and magmatic rocks. Their composition is XAl(Si, Al)Si2O8,
2 where X = K, Na, Ca, Br, and Sr. As a result of these differences in composition,
the crystal forms and properties show a degree of variability.
z Alkali feldspars (K, Na)AlSi3O8: Sanidine, monoclinic; Orthoclase, monoclinic;

Microcline, triclinic
Orthoclase
Sanidine
Habit – Sanidine crystals are often tabular, sometimes prismatic—Twinning is

common. Orthoclase forms both tabular and prismatic crystals (sometimes stri-
ated). Carlsbad twinning is common. Microcline is very similar to orthoclase, in-
dividual crystals can be large. All three can also occur as crystal aggregates.
57 2
Hardness – 6.0 (standard mineral on the Mohs hardness scale)
Cleavage – perfect (cleavage angle is c. 90°)
Color/Transparency – Sanidine is colorless, yellow, gray or brown; translucent to
transparent. Orthoclase is colorless, white, pink, blue, green, or grey; transparent
to opaque. Microcline is similar to orthoclase; may also be adularescent.
Streak – white
Distinguishing features – color, habit, cleavage, and hardness distinguish ortho-
clase and microcline from other minerals, but it is difficult to distinguish them
from each other. Sanidine can be distinguished based on its transparency, tabular
habit and occurrence. Carlsbad twins occur in both orthoclase and sanidine
Occurrence – sanidine, orthoclase and microcline form the alkali/potassium feld-
spar group. They are polymorphs, with almost identical physical properties. Or-
thoclase is the most common alkali feldspar in both metamorphic and magmatic
(e.g., pegmatite) rocks. Microcline is common in metamorphic and magmatic
(e.g., granites, granite pegmatite) rocks and hydrothermal veins. Sanidine is the
high-temperature form of KAlSi3O8 and is often found as phenocrysts in rela-
tively young volcanic rocks (rhyolite, trachyte) and their tuffs. Detrital grains of
all three are also are found in sedimentary rocks
z Plagioclase Series NaAlSi3O8-CaAl2Si2O8—Plagioclase, Triclinic
Plagioclase
Habit – tabular or prismatic crystals (often striated), often grouped or twinned,

also massive, grainy, columnar aggregates
Cleavage – good (cleavage angle is c. 90°)

Color/Transparency – white, colorless, pink, green, blue, brown and black; trans-
parent to translucent
2 Luster – vitreous, pearly on cleavage faces
Distinguishing features – habit, twin lamination (albite twinning) is pronounced
on cleavage surfaces. Labradorite often shows marked blue/green colors on cleav-
age faces.
Occurrence – the plagioclase series comprises six different minerals (albite, oligo-
clase, andesine, labradorite, bytownite, anorthite) with varying amounts of Na
and Ca. It is extremely difficult to distinguish them in the field. Plagioclase is a
common mineral in magmatic (acid rocks are more Na rich, while basic rocks are
more Ca rich) and metamorphic rocks, but also occurs detritally in sedimentary
rocks
Feldspathoid/Foid Group
Chemically related to feldspars, but with a lower SiO2 content.
z Leucite, KalSi2O6—Normally Tetragonal (pseudo-cubic); Cubic >625 °C
Leucite
Habit – pseudo-isometric crystals (trapezohedrons), also granular aggregates

Cleavage – none
59 2
Color/Transparency – white, gray; transparent to opaque
Streak – white
Luster – vitreous, dull
Distinguishing features – habit
Occurrence – leucite is unstable under high pressure conditions and is never found
in combination with quartz. Therefore, the occurrence is limited. Typically pres-
ent in K-rich, low-Si volcanic rocks (e.g., trachyte). Sometimes altered to pseudo-
leucite, a mixture of orthoclase and nepheline
z Nepheline, NaAlSiO4—Hexagonal
Nepheline
Habit – tabular or prismatic crystals (usually 6-sided outline), also granular,

coarse aggregates
Cleavage – poor
Color/Transparency – white, gray, colorless, brown, green; transparent to opaque
Streak – white
Luster – greasy, vitreous
Distinguishing features – luster, greasy feel
2 Occurrence – found in SiO2-poor intrusive and extrusive magmatic rocks (e.g.,
nepheline syenite, phonolite)
61 3
Magmatic Rocks
Contents
3.1 Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive

Bodies – 62
3.2 Volcanoes – 66
3.3 Volcanic Eruption Types – 67
3.4 Volcanic Deposits – 68

3.4.1 Lavas – 69
3.4.2 Pyroclastics – 72
3.5 Structures and Textures of Magmatic Rocks – 72
3.6 Classification of Magmatic Rocks – 74
3.7 Plutonic Rocks – 79
3.8 Volcanic/Subvolcanic Rocks – 87
3.9 Pyroclastic Rocks – 94
3.10 Ultramafic Rocks – 97

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2_3
62 Chapter 3 · Magmatic Rocks
Magmatic rocks are often exposed at the Earth’s surface, either because they
cooled at, or close to, the surface (e.g., volcanoes) or because they have been ex-
humed as a result of tectonics and erosion following solidification at depth (e.g.,
exhumation of large intrusive rock bodies). Understanding the formation and de-
velopment of a magmatic province, requires a variety of field and laboratory in-
vestigations, with more detailed characterization of a magmatic body requiring
3 chemical and isotopic analysis. Magmatic rocks can be divided into two groups:
intrusive rocks, which cool and solidify from a magma within the Earth and ex-
trusive rocks, which cool and solidify at the Earth’s surface. Hypabyssal (subvol-
canic) intrusions are emplaced at shallow depths (<2 km).
3.1 Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive Bodies
Intrusive magmatic rocks are formed by the cooling and solidification of magma
deep within the Earth’s crust (. Fig. 3.1, . Table 3.1). Individual magmatic bod-
ies range in size from meters up to several kilometers in diameter.
. Fig. 3.1 Variety of intrusions showing their possible relationships with a sub-volcanic magma
chamber. (After Thorpe and Brown 1985)
3.1 · Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive Bodies
63 3
. Table 3.1 Intrusive bodies and their dimensions. (After McCann and Valdivia Manchego
2015)
Thickness Width/length/area Composition

Sills Several m to hun- Up to 10 km wide Mainly mafic
dreds of m
Laccoliths Max. approx. 1000 m 1–8 km Mainly Si-rich rocks
Lopoliths Several m to sev- Several tens to hun- Often asymmetrical
eral km dreds of km in di- and layered; mainly
ameter mafic to ultramafic
rocks
Dikes <1 m to several hun- Up to several tens Si-rich to mafic to
dred m of km ultramafic
Batholiths – Tens of km wide; 100 Mainly Si-rich rocks
to thousands km2
Stocks – Several km wide; Mainly Si-rich rocks
maximum 100 km2
Volcanic plugs Several hundred me- – Variable, depending
(vent fillings) ters to 1 km on chemistry of the
volcano
z Dikes and Veins
Vertical dike (Tenerife)
Planar, discordant intrusive bodies that cut through bedding and foliation in the
surrounding host rock (. Fig. 3.1). Thicknesses range from <1 m to several hun-
dreds of meters. They can form groups (swarms) which can be parallel or radial
(e.g., on the flanks of a volcano). Small dikes (mm to cm scale, e.g., aplites) are
also called veins.
Diabase vein in granite
Granite vein in diorite
z Sills
Concordant, layered intrusive bodies that are oriented more or less parallel to the
stratification or foliation within the host rock (. Fig. 3.1). Their thickness can
range from meters to several hundred meters and they can extend over areas of
tens to hundreds of square meters. They are generally formed by low viscosity
magmas. Sills occur individually or in groups.
3.1 · Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive Bodies
65 3
z Laccoliths
Laccolith (dacite), Maiden Creek Sill, USA. (Sill about 3 m thick; Photo C. Breitkreuz)
Mushroom-like concordant intrusions, which form mainly at depths of around

3 km below the Earth’s surface (. Fig. 3.1). Laccoliths have a thickness of up to
1 km and a diameter of 1–8 km. In general, laccoliths are formed from silica-rich
magmas (higher viscosity than mafic magmas) and, therefore, there is little lateral
spreading.
z Lopoliths
Concordant, lenticular, saucer- or funnel-shaped intrusions with thicknesses
ranging from meters to kilometers and diameters that can reach several tens to
several hundreds of kilometers. They often form layered intrusions (i.e., bodies
with layers which differ in terms of composition or texture).
z Batholiths and Stocks

Large, coarsely-crystalline, plutonic bodies, which often form elongated intrusive
belts (50–150 km wide and 500–1500 km long). Stocks are smaller structures with
a maximum surface area of 100 km2. Batholiths usually consist of a large number
of overlapping, smaller intrusive bodies or plutons (each 5–50 km in diameter).
Batholiths and stocks are often silica-rich rocks.
z Volcanic Plugs
Volcanic plugs, Agathla Peak, USA
The erosion of volcanic bodies (e.g., volcanic vents) can expose round to oval
structures in the outcrop (volcanic plugs/necks). These have a diameter of around
102–103 m and include lavas and pyroclastic material. Internally they often show
brecciation due to the passage of volcanic gases and hydrothermal solutions.
3.2 Volcanoes
Volcanic eruptions are among the most dramatic and visible magmatic processes
(. Fig. 3.2). Most volcanic activity (about 90%) takes place along tectonic plate
boundaries (e.g., Ring of Fire around the Pacific).
Volcanic cones (stratocones, although other cones also exist, e.g., cinder cones
etc.) typically have a central crater, which overlies the vent (although the forma-
tion of several secondary vents is possible), in which the lava moves from the un-
derground magma chamber (or possibly several magma chambers) toward the
Earth’s surface. However, eruptions along fissures (e.g., flood basalts) are of much
greater importance in the Earth’s history because of their high volume.
Volcanoes occur in a variety of forms. The particular shape is largely related
to the composition of the magma, which also determines the type of eruption.
For example, basic lavas (e.g., basalt) have a low viscosity and therefore flow eas-
ily, so that they form wide shield volcanoes. Magmas with a higher proportion of
SiO2 (acid lavas, e.g., rhyolite) are more viscous and explosive. They form layered
volcanoes, which are built up of lava and fragmented material. Magmas rich in
silica can be so viscous that the impinging magma can cause the volcano to bulge
and deform (e.g., Mount St Helens, USA).
3.3 · Volcanic Eruption Types
67 3
Central Zone
Proximal Zone
▼
▼ ▼
▼
Distal Zone
▼
▼ ▼
▼ ▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼
▼ ▼
▼
▼
▼ ▼
▼ ▼
▼
▼
▼ ▼
▼ pyroclastic deposition (undifferentiated, decreasing grain size)
pyroclastic flow deposits
lava flows (vertical dikes & horizontal sills)
subvolcanic intrusion
. Fig. 3.2 Schematic profile showing the facies variations in a volcano. (After Thorpe and Brown
1985)
3.3 Volcanic Eruption Types
Magmatic eruptions can be divided into the following main types (. Fig. 3.3;
note that transitions between the various types occur):
5 Icelandic eruptions—least explosive; fault or fissure-related eruptions, mostly
produced by low-viscosity magmas.
5 Hawaiian eruptions—are closely related to Icelandic eruptions and are formed
by basic (basaltic) magmas. Eruptions are sporadic. Eruption phases of gas-
poor lavas alternate with short phases of gas-rich eruptions (e.g., fire foun-
tains or curtains of fire).
5 Strombolian eruptions—magmas have a higher viscosity than those of Hawai-
ian eruptions. Explosive eruptions are produced in an open vent due to the
bursting of large gas bubbles which form as a result of reduced pressures in
the upper part of the magma column.
5 Vulcanian eruptions—similar to Strombolian eruptions, but tend to be more
explosive. They are often associated with highly viscous magmas of andesitic
composition.
5 Peléan eruptions—are associated with avalanches of hot volcanic ash (pyro-
clastic flows). Lava domes also form, which may subsequently collapse.
5 Plinian (Vesuvian) eruptions—are the largest and most explosive eruptions
(mainly highly viscous acid to intermediate magmas). The eruptions are
marked by the production of high columns of gases and volcanic debris.
. Fig. 3.3 Schematic diagram showing the main eruption types. (After Orton 1996; McCann and
Valdivia Manchego 2014)
In addition to the various eruption types, there are also phreatomagmatic erup-
tions, where the erupting magmas come into contact with groundwater, seawater,
or ice (e.g., beneath a glacier). These are usually explosive and produce a lot of
water vapor and pyroclastic material.
3.4 Volcanic Deposits
There are two types of volcanic deposits: lavas and pyroclastics. Both usually
form during a volcanic eruption. Lavas are formed when magma emerges from
the volcano and solidifies on contact with the atmosphere or water. Four main
lava types are recognised, depending on their form and surface morphology.
3.4 · Volcanic Deposits
69 3
3.4.1 Lavas
z Aa lava
Aa lava (Hawaii; scale 30 cm)
Lavas with a rough, uneven or rubbly (brecciated) surface, containing entrained

fragments of older crust. Lava flow was rapid.
z Pahoehoe Lava
Pahoehoe lava (Hawaii; scale 5.5 cm)
Lavas with smooth or rope-like crusts, which often have a basic composition.
They originate from hotter, less viscous lavas than the Aa type.
z Blocky Lava
Blocky lava and lava ball (Hawaii; picture width approx. 4 m)
Similar to aa lava, with irregular surfaces consisting of large standing blocks

(dm’s-m’s) and typically comprise andesitic, dacitic or rhyolitic material.
z Pillow Lava
Pillow basalts (scale 30 cm)
Consists of round to elliptical structures with a diameter of up to 1 m, which

form when lava flows out underwater (or under ice). Compositions are usually ba-
saltic or andesitic.
3.4 · Volcanic Deposits
71 3
z Columnar Jointing
Basalt columns, Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland (column diameter approx. 30 cm; Photo B. Mur-
phy)
Basalt columns, Mammoth Lake, USA (scale approx. 2–4 m)
These structures occur in a variety of igneous rocks, and form as the rocks cool
and contract. In basaltic lavas, sills, and dikes, five- to seven-sided columnar
structures often occur. These columns form during cooling and are arranged per-
pendicular to the upper- and lower-cooling surfaces.
3.4.2 Pyroclastics
Pyroclastic materials (e.g., pumice, bombs) are produced from most volcano types
(with the exception of Hawaiian and Icelandic) and comprise a range of materi-
als formed due to differences in gas content and viscosity. These latter result in
variations in vesicularity (i.e., gas bubbles in the magma) and crystallinity. In sub-
3 aerial, submarine, or subglacial eruptions, pyroclastic material is initially ejected
vertically in the form of an eruption column (. Fig. 3.3). The pyroclastic mate-
rial (tephra) formed during volcanic eruptions contains three main types of frag-
ments (. Fig. 2.29):
5 Pyroclastic fragments: These are divided into fine ash (<0.063 mm), coarse ash
(0.063–2 mm), lapilli (2–64 mm), and blocks (>64 mm; solid ejecta) or bombs
(>64 mm; molten ejecta) according to their grain size. The lithified equivalents
are fine tuff, coarse tuff, lapillstone/volcanic conglomerate, pyroclastic breccia
and agglomerate, respectively;
5 Glass fragments;
5 Single crystals.
A variety of pyroclastic types have been recognised. Pyroclastic fall deposits (ash
deposits) are initially transported upwards as part of an eruption plume. The frag-
ments subsequently fall as a result of gravity and form a blanket-like deposit
around the collapsing eruption column.
Pyroclastic density flows (i.e., flows, surges) can be subdivided on the basis
of their density and turbulence. Pyroclastic flow deposits (ignimbrites) are grav-
itational flow deposits of volcanic fragments that spread around the volcano in
the form of hot, highly concentrated mixtures of gas and fragments (. Fig. 3.2).
Velocities close to the eruption column can be up to 1000 km/h. The pyroclastic
flows, in which temperatures can be up to 1000 °C, destroy all vegetation over a
radius of over 100 km. Pyroclastic surge deposits are also gravitational flows, but
with a lower concentration (density) of fragments than pyroclastic flow deposits.
They spread laterally as hot gas–solid mixtures and show a variety of sedimen-
tary structures that indicate the direction of flow (e.g., cross-bedding, planar lam-
ination).
A mixture of volcanic material ± sediment and water (ice, snow) can produce
debris flows (lahars). These are very dangerous and can flow over long distances
(>300 km).
3.5 Structures and Textures of Magmatic Rocks
The description of magmatic rocks involves examining various aspects, including

the crystal size and shape and the geometric arrangement of the individual crys-
tals as well as noting the presence or absence of a number of other features.
3.5 · Structures and Textures of Magmatic Rocks
73 3
. Table 3.2 Crystal sizes in magmatic rocks. (After Jerram and Petford 2011)
Crystal size Features

Fine grained (aphanitic/hyaline for glassy Rare crystal boundaries observed in the field
rocks; <1 mm) or distinguishable with a hand lens
Medium grained (phaneritic; 1–5 mm) Most crystal boundaries can be distinguished
with a hand lens
Coarse grained (phaneritic; >5 mm) Almost all crystal boundaries can be distin-
guished with the naked eye
z Crystal Size
Crystal size is mainly influenced by the cooling rate of the magma. Coarse
crystalline rocks are called phaneritic, while fine crystalline rocks are termed
aphanitic. The former are generally intrusive, while the latter are mostly extrusive
(. Table 3.2). A mixed form, in which larger crystals (phenocrysts) occur in a fin-
er-grained matrix (groundmass), is termed a porphyritic structure. A porphyry is a
rock that contains 50% of large, well-developed phenocrysts (often plagioclase or
alkali feldspar), which are distributed in a fine-grained matrix. A coarse-grained
igneous rock is termed a pegmatite (pegmatitic texture; usually—but not always—
granitic, often with crystals > c. 1.0 cm in diameter) with the fine-grained equiv-
alent being an aplite (aplitic texture; granitic composition with crystals <1 mm
in diameter). Even finer is the glassy volcanic rock obsidian (pitchstone), which is
formed by rapid cooling of a magma.
Magmatic rocks may also contain foreign inclusions consisting of rocks (xeno-
liths) or minerals (xenocrysts) that were derived from the surrounding rock during
the ascent of the magma.
z Crystal Shape
Mineral shapes within a magmatic rock can be described as follows (. Fig. 3.4):
5 Idiomorphic—crystals with a well developed crystal shape, with distinct crystal
faces and a characteristic geometry.
5 Hypidiomorphic—crystals that resemble their ideal form, but whose growth
was restricted by other minerals
5 Xenomorphic—crystals that are very irregular in shape and do not give any in-
dication of their ideal crystal form.
In the coarser magmatic rocks the majority of crystals are idiomorphic to hypid-
iomorphic in form. In volcanic rocks, phenocrysts and some accessory minerals
(e.g., zircon, apatite) can be idiomorphic because they crystallized early.
z Texture
Texture refers to the geometrical arrangement and distribution of mineral grains
within a rock and is strongly influenced by the order in which they crystallize.
A trachytic texture is a flow texture which describes the parallel/subparallel ar-
. Fig. 3.4 Crystal shapes in magmatic rocks. (After Jerram and Petford 2011)
rangement of elongated plagioclase crystals (phenocrysts) within the fine-grained

groundmass.
Vesicles (bubbles) are gas bubbles trapped in solidifying magma. Vesicular tex-
ture is usually formed in volcanic rocks (e.g., vesicular basalt, pumice). If the cavi-
ties (amygdules/amygdales) are subsequently filled with secondary minerals, this is
referred to as an amygdaloidal texture (e.g., amygdaloidal basalt).
3.6 Classification of Magmatic Rocks
The proportion of minerals in a magmatic rock is an important feature that is

used for comparison and classification purposes (. Table 3.3). Magmatic rocks
can generally be divided into three to four groups based on their chemistry and
color (dependent on the mineral content):
5 Acidic/Felsic rocks—light-colored rocks containing mainly quartz, feldspar,
and feldspathoid. The SiO2 content is >65% silica.
5 Basic/Mafic rocks—mostly dark colored and contain iron- and magnesi-
um-rich minerals such as pyroxenes, amphiboles and olivines. The SiO2
. Table 3.3 Classification of magmatic rocks based on their SiO2 contents. (After Thorpe and
Brown 1985)
Geochemical term Definition weight % SiO2 Color

Acidic >65 Light
Intermediate 52–65 Medium
Basic 45–55 Dark
Ultrabasic <45 Dark
3.6 · Classification of Magmatic Rocks
75 3
content is ≤55% silica. Rocks that contain only iron- and magnesium-rich
minerals are called ultrabasic/ultramafic (<45% silica).
5 Intermediate rocks—are located between the two end members above in terms
of their mineral content and contain both light- and dark-colored minerals;
they are intermediate in color.
The color of the rock and the minerals present can be combined with the grain
size to provide a simple field classification for magmatic rocks (. Fig. 3.5).
The IUGS classification system is a more detailed scheme to classify magmatic
rocks. Classification is in two stages (. Figs. 3.6 and 3.7):
1. What is the grain size of the rock, that is, whether the rock is phaneritic (i.e.
coarse-grained—plutonic) or aphanitic (i.e. fine-grained—volcanic)?
2. Determine the proportions of the five most common minerals or mineral
groups in the rock. When looking at hand samples, these minerals are best
identified using the following properties (see also 7 Chap. 2 for more detailed
descriptions):
5 Quartz—translucent, vitreous luster, absence of obvious cleavage, conchoidal
fracture.
5 Plagioclase—cleavage, twinning on the cleavage faces.
5 Alkali feldspar—cleavage, Carlsbad twins are often visible in hand specimens,
often pink to brownish color.
5 Mafic minerals—black, brown, or green colors; 90° cleavage (pyroxenes), 120°
cleavage (amphiboles).
. Fig. 3.5 Simple field classification, based on color (light vs. dark minerals), important silicate min-
erals and grain size. (After Jerram and Petford 2011)
. Fig. 3.6 Simple field classification of plutonic rocks, based on the IUGS-classification scheme, ac-
cording to their mineralogical compositions: Q quartz; A alkali feldspar; P plagioclase; F feldspathoid
(foid). The rock must contain less than 90% mafic minerals. (After Blatt et al. 2006)
3.6 · Classification of Magmatic Rocks
77 3
. Fig. 3.7 Simple field classification of volcanic rocks, based on the IUGS-classification, of volcanic
rocks according to their mineralogical compositions: Q quartz; A alkali feldspar; P plagioclase; F feld-
spathoid (foid). The rock must contain less than 90% mafic minerals. (After Blatt et al. 2006)
. Table 3.4 Grain size based nomenclature of the most common volcanoclastic rocks. (After
McCann and Valdivia Manchego 2015)
Grain size Non-consolidated tephra Pyroclastic rock

<0.063 mm Fine-grained ash Fine tuff
3 0.063–2 mm Coarse-grained ash Coarse tuff

2–64 mm Lapilli tephra Lapillistone (or
lapilli tuff/breccia) or
volcanic conglomerate/brec-
cia
>64 mm Bomb tephra (molten ejecta) Agglomerate
Block tephra (solid/angular ejecta) Pyroclastic breccia
5 Foids/feldspathoids—individual feldspathoids can often be recognised by spe-

cific properties (e.g., marked gray-blue color of sodalite, hexagonal shape of
leucite).
A diagram, similar to that for plutonic rocks (. Fig. 3.6), is used for the classi-
fication of volcanic rocks (. Fig. 3.7). Due to their rapid cooling at the Earth’s
surface, lavas are often fine-grained (e.g., glassy, microcrystalline), which makes
them difficult to describe. Chemical analysis is often the most reliable method to
provide a correct classification. However, the presence of phenocrysts (usually
10–50%) in combination with color, field relationships and contexts, etc., can also
be used to describe a lava in detail.
Volcanic rocks can also be classified according to their grain size (. Table 3.4).
Compacted, sometimes welded, fine-grained volcanic rocks are called tuffs while
coarser rocks (2–64 mm) are called lapillistones/tuffs (or where the fragments are
angular, breccias). The largest (>64 mm) are termed agglomerates or volcanic brec-
cias.
3.7 · Plutonic Rocks
79 3
3.7 Plutonic Rocks
z Granite
a Granite (scale 2 cm) b Rapakivi granite
Color – mottled appearance, white, gray, pink, and red

Grain size – coarse to very coarse
Texture – granular rock, very homogeneous (sometimes banded), often porphy-
ritic (phenocrysts mostly feldspar); xenoliths often present; dikes and veins of mi-
crogranite may occur
Mineralogy – light-colored minerals (80–100%), alkali feldspar (35–100%), pla-
gioclase (0–65%), and quartz (min. 10%, normally 20–60%). Accessory minerals
include biotite (also muscovite), augite, hornblende, tourmaline, topaz, apatite, ti-
tanite (sphene), zircon, ilmenite, pyrite, and magnetite
Occurrence – found in large intrusions (e.g., batholiths, stocks), but also sills and
dikes. Volcanic counterpart is rhyolite
Varieties
5 Rapakivi granite—a porphyric hornblende granite with round to ovoid alkali
feldspar crystals (orthoclase; 2–3 cm diameter) surrounded by plagioclase
3 5 Alkali feldspar granite—light-colored granite comprising mainly alkali feld-
spar (<10% plagioclase). Accessory minerals include augite, hornblende, and
zircon
5 Augite-Hornblende granite—dark-colored granite due to presence of augite
and hornblende
5 Biotite granite—large amount of biotite (up to 20%); a two-mica granite would
contain a significant proportion of muscovite
5 Tourmaline granite—large amount of tourmaline
5 Aplite—very fine-grained granite (often occurs as dikes), rare mafic minerals
z Granodiorite
Granodiorite (scale 2 cm)
Color – predominantly gray (the higher the proportion of mafic components, the
darker the rock).
Grain size – as for granite
Texture – granular, similar to granite
Mineralogy – difficult to distinguish from granite, but usually looks darker. Miner-
alogy is similar to granite, although with different feldspar ratios (plagioclase 65–
100%, alkali feldspar 0–35%); it may be transitional with granite
Occurrence – the most abundant of the granitic rocks, often intrusive (e.g. batho-
liths), and found within granitic massifs. The volcanic equivalent is dacite
81 3
Varieties
5 Trondhjemite—quartz-rich variety (>20%) with little or no alkali feldspar;
dark minerals (<15%) mostly biotite and hornblende.
5 Tonalite—feldspar mostly plagioclase and usually no alkali feldspar; quartz
about 20%; dark minerals (10–40%) mostly biotite and hornblende (both of-
ten porphyric).
z Syenite
Hornblende syenite (scale 2 cm)
Colour – light to dark grey, also red or white

Grain size – medium to coarse (sometimes pegmatitic)
Texture – similar to granite
Mineralogy – rich in feldspars and low in quartz compared to granites. Light-
colored minerals (60–100%), of which 80–100% are feldspar (alkali feldspar 65–
100% and plagioclase 0–35%), quartz (0–20%) or feldspathoid (0–10%), these last
two being mutually exclusive; accessory minerals include biotite, pyroxene, fluo-
rite, zircon, titanite, apatite, ilmenite, and magnetite
Occurrence – not particularly common, mostly associated with granites or present
in small intrusions
Varieties
5 Alkali syenite—almost plagioclase-free; often found associated with alkali
granites
z Monzonite
Monzonite (scale 2 cm)
Color – light to dark gray, also greenish, brownish, and red

Grain size – generally medium
Texture – granular, occasional flow structures (oriented minerals), and/or tabular
alkali feldspar crystals
Mineralogy – rich in feldspar and low in quartz (same as syenite). Plagioclase > al-
kali feldspar. Light-colored minerals (55–90%), of which 80–100% are feldspar
(alkali feldspar 35–65% and plagioclase 35–65%), rare quartz (0–20%), and feld-
spathoid (0–10%); accessory minerals include pyroxene, hornblende, biotite. In
transitional (to diorite/gabbro) forms, plagioclase predominates, quartz is < 5%
and pyroxene up to 20%.
Occurrence – associated with granites and granodiorites
83 3
z Foid-Syenite
Nepheline syenite (scale 2 cm)
Color – light colored (gray, pink), also dark green

Grain size – medium to coarse; sometimes with feldspar phenocrysts
Texture – granular, sometimes oriented crystals, including tabular alkali feldspar
and elongate hornblende
Mineralogy – no quartz, mainly feldspathoid (especially nepheline) and alkali
feldspar. Light-colored minerals 55–100%, including 40–90% feldspar (alkali feld-
spar 50–100%, plagioclase 0–50%), and feldspathoid (10–60%, typically: nephe-
line, sodalite, leucite); accessory minerals include biotite, pyroxene, and amphi-
bole
Occurrence – often associated with syenites; occurs as small intrusive bodies (e.g.,
stocks, sills)
z Diorite
Diorite (scale 2 cm)
Color – black and white speckled appearance, sometimes dark green or pink
Grain size – coarse, but very variable (sometimes pegmatitic), sometimes phe-
nocrysts (e.g., hornblende)
Texture – granular, often containing xenoliths, sometimes foliation
Mineralogy – mainly plagioclase and mafic minerals (e.g. amphibole, pyroxene).
Light-colored minerals 50–85%, of which 80–100% are feldspar (plagioclase—
mostly oligoclase, andesine 65–100%, alkali feldspar 0–35%), quartz 0–20%, or
feldspathoid 0–10%. Dark-colored minerals 15–50%, including biotite and/or py-
roxene. Accessory minerals include apatite, titanite (sphene), iron oxides, zirco-
nium, and garnet. With 5–20% quartz = quartz diorite, >20% quartz = tonalite.
Occurrence – small intrusive bodies, grading laterally to granites, or gabbros. Vol-
canic counterpart is andesite
85 3
z Gabbro
Gabbro (scale 2 cm)
Color – gray, dark gray, black, greenish, bluish

Grain size – coarse, sometimes pegmatitic
Texture – granular, often layered (light and dark minerals), with individual layers
ranging in thickness from centimeters to several meters
Mineralogy – mainly mafic minerals (e.g. pyroxene, olivine) and plagioclase.
Looks darker than diorite. Light-colored minerals 55–80%, of which 80–100%
are feldspar (plagioclase: darker varieties, labradorite, bytownite 65–100%, alkali
feldspar 0–35%), quartz (1–20%), feldspathoid (0–10%). Dark-colored minerals
20–65% especially pyroxene (augite), hornblende, olivine and/or biotite. Acces-
sory minerals include apatite, pyrite, magnetite, ilmenite, and serpentine
Occurrence – an intrusive rock found in stocks, and sometimes lopoliths. Often as-
sociated with pyroxenites and anorthosites. Volcanic counterpart is basalt
Varieties
5 Norite—dark gray with hypersthene. Contains orthopyroxene or pigeonite in-
stead of augite
5 Troctolite—contains olivine instead of augite
5 Essexite—fine- to medium-grained, sometimes porphyritic. High proportion
of pyroxene (and, therefore, almost black)
z Anorthosite
Color – gray to white
Grain size – medium to coarse
Texture – granular, sometimes oriented crystals, sometimes layered
Mineralogy – mainly plagioclase (>90% oligoclase/andesine to bytownite). Acces-

sory minerals include pyroxene, olivine, and iron oxides
Occurrence – found in both large (e.g., stocks, batholiths) and smaller intrusive
bodies, often layered and associated with gabbros. Also as bodies (over hundreds
of km2) within metamorphic areas
3 z Pyroxenite
Color – green, dark green to black
Texture – granular, sometimes layered
Mineralogy – ultramafic rock consisting mainly of pyroxene (clinopyroxene or or-
thopyroxene), olivine, hornblende, iron oxides, or biotite. Feldspars are rare/ab-
sent (unlike gabbro) and the percentage of olivine is <40% (unlike peridotite).
Occurrence – intrusive bodies (stocks, dikes) or as bands within stratified gabbros
z Kimberlite
Color – bluish, greenish, or black
Grain size – amorphous or fine-grained, sometimes phenocrysts
Texture – often porphyritic, xenoliths are common
Mineralogy – ultramafic volcanic rock comprising mainly olivine (sometimes ser-
pentinized), mica (phlogopite) with garnet (pyrope) and orthopyroxene. Acces-
sory minerals include ilmenite, spinel, rutile, calcite, chromite, and diamond
Occurrence – found mainly in kimberlite pipes (hundreds of meters in diameter)
which are the main source of diamonds; less commonly as dikes
3.8 · Volcanic/Subvolcanic Rocks
87 3
3.8 Volcanic/Subvolcanic Rocks
z Rhyolite
Rhyolite (scale 2 cm)
Color – white, gray, greenish, reddish, or brownish. Sometimes banded

Grain size – glassy to fine
Texture – often layered or with flow structures, showing variations in grain size
or color. Oriented phenocrysts (quartz, feldspar, hornblende, mica) are sometimes
present. Vesicular or amygdaloidal textures are sometimes present. Occasional
spherulites (radial growth of quartz/feldspar needles).
Mineralogy – light-colored minerals (80–100%), of which 20–60% quartz, 40–80%
feldspar (alkali feldspar 35–100%, plagioclase 0–65%). Dark-colored minerals
0–20%—pyroxene, biotite, zircon, and apatite
Occurrence – found in volcanic areas (volcanic vent plugs, lava flows, dikes)
Varieties
5 Quartz porphyry— quartz phenocrysts and occasionally biotite present
5 Granite porphyry—phenocrysts of alkali feldspar, quartz and sometimes bio-
tite and/or plagioclase present
z Microsyenite
Color – gray, reddish, brownish
Grain size – medium
Texture – granular, often with phenocrysts (mostly alkali feldspar)
Mineralogy – similar to syenite (alkali feldspar, with biotite, hornblende, pyroxene,
or quartz)
Occurrence – found in dikes and sills associated with intrusions of syenite or

nepheline syenite; also associated with trachyte
z Trachyte
Trachyte (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – gray; also brownish, pink, or yellowish

Grain size – fine
Texture – often porphyritic (phenocrysts of sanidine, but also plagioclase, horn-
blende, pyroxene), with flow structures (trachytic texture)
Mineralogy – feldspar rich with alkali feldspar > plagioclase. Light minerals 60–
100%, of which 80–100% are feldspar (alkali feldspar 65–100%, plagioclase
0–35%), quartz (0–20%) or feldspathoid (0–10%). Dark minerals 0–40% (includ-
ing pyroxene, hornblende, biotite)
Occurrence – occur as lava flows, often associated with basalt and small intrusive
bodies (dikes, sills)
z Microdiorite
Color – gray to dark gray, sometimes greenish or pink
Grain size – medium
Texture – usually porphyritic (phenocrysts of hornblende, biotite or augite)
Mineralogy – as for diorite
Occurrence – found in intrusive bodies (dikes, sills), often found in swarms around
diorite or granite intrusions
89 3
z Andesite
Trachyandesite
Color – gray, brown, greenish or almost black

Grain size – fine, glassy/amorphous
Texture – flow structure, usually porphyritic (phenocrysts of plagioclase, pyrox-
ene, hornblende or biotite), vesicular or amygdaloidal
Mineralogy – feldspar rich (plagioclase > alkali feldspar), quartz, pyroxene, am-
phibole and biotite. Light-colored minerals 60–85%, of which 80–100% are feld-
spar (plagioclase 65–100%, alkali feldspar 0–35%), quartz (0–20%) or felds-
pathoid (0–10%). Dark-colored minerals 10–40% (including biotite, augite, horn-
blende, olivine, magnetite, zircon). Plagioclase in the fine-grained groundmass is
usually oligoclase-andesine
Occurrence – found in lava flows, stocks and dikes. Often associated with basalts,
dacites, trachytes and rhyolites
z Basalt
Basalt (scale 2 cm)
Color – black, dark gray, may weather to reddish or greenish

Grain size – fine, sometimes glassy/amorphous
Texture – sometimes porphyritic (phenocrysts of hornblende, pyroxene, olivine,
plagioclase), vesicular or amygdaloidal (amygdules filled with zeolites, carbonates
or quartz). Xenoliths are sometimes present (often olivine or pyroxene). Colum-
nar jointing may be present
Mineralogy – mainly plagioclase and pyroxene. Dark-colored minerals 40–70%
(pyroxene, olivine, magnetite, ilmenite, biotite), light-colored minerals 30–60%, of
which 80–100% are feldspar (plagioclase 65–100%, alkali feldspar 0–35%), quartz
(0–20%), or feldspathoid (0–10%).
Occurrence – commonly found as lavas, flood basalts, dikes, and sills
Varieties
5 Diabase/Dolerite—coarse, often with phenocrysts of plagioclase
5 Tholeiitic basalt—calcic plagioclase, olivine is rare/absent
5 Alkali basalt/Alkali olivine basalt—with olivine, augite and nepheline
5 Olivine basalt—with olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts
91 3
z Dacite
Dacite (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – gray, brownish, yellowish

Grain size – fine, amorphous
Texture – often porphyritic (phenocrysts of zoned plagioclase, quartz, horn-
blende, biotite, rarely alkali feldspar), sometimes flow structures
Mineralogy – quartz- and plagioclase-rich rock. Light-colored minerals 70–95%,
of which 20–60% quartz, 40–80% feldspar (plagioclase 65–100%, K-feldspar
0–35%). Dark-colored minerals (5–30%)—pyroxene, hornblende, biotite, zircon,
and magnetite
Occurrence – found in dikes, sills, and lava domes
z Obsidian
Obsidian (scale 1.9 cm)

Color – black, dark brown, gray.

Grain size – amorphous
Texture – amorphous, rare phenocrysts (more often in pitchstone, quartz, feld-
spar). Snowflake obsidian is characterised by the presence of spherulites (radially
clustered crystals of cristobalite which form as a result of devitrification). Vitre-
3 ous. Conchoidal fracture
Mineralogy – variable, but mostly like rhyolite. However, there are also trachytic,
andesitic, and phonolithic obsidians
Occurrence – mostly in the marginal areas of rhyolithic lava flows. Pitchstone is
similar, but has a higher water content, a hackly fracture and a resinous luster
z Pumice
Pumice (scale 2 cm)
Color – white, gray, yellowish, may be darker

Grain size – fine/amorphous
Texture – highly vesicular (up to 85% of rock), vesicles are irregular/oval
Mineralogy – composition is similar to rhyolite, but can also be dacitic, andesitic,
trachytic, or phonolithic. Basaltic pumice is also known
Occurrence – formed in explosive eruptions, in viscous lavas by exsolution (degas-
sing) of volcanic gases, due to pressure release
93 3
z Scoria
Scoria, spindle-shaped bomb (scale 9 cm)
Color – dark brown, black, reddish

Grain size – fine/amorphous
Texture – denser than pumice, with larger vesicles and thicker vesicle walls; some-
times with phenocrysts
Mineralogy – variable, same as basalt or andesite
Occurrence – forms due to exsolution (degassing) of volcanic gases (lavas are less
viscous than those which form pumice). Can build small cones (scoria cones) or
may be ejected as bombs/blocks or lapilli.
z Phonolite
Phonolite (scale 2 cm)

Color – dark green to gray

Grain size – fine to mixed fine-coarse
Texture – often platy structure, often porphyritic (phenocrysts of feldspar, nephe-
line)
Mineralogy – rich in feldspar and feldspathoid. Light-colored minerals 60–100%,
3 of which 40–90% are feldspar (alkali feldspar 50–100%—often sanidine, plagi-
oclase 0–50%), feldspathoid (10–60%, nepheline, sodalite, leucite). Dark-colored
minerals 0–40%—biotite, pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, ilmenite, apatite, titanite,
magnetite, and zircon
Occurrence – found as lava flows, sills, dikes. Often associated with trachyte and
nepheline syenite
3.9 Pyroclastic Rocks
z Agglomerate
Agglomerate (top) and fault (scale 10 cm)
Color – dark to light (depending on the composition)

Grain size – angular to rounded fragments (>64 mm diameter) in a fine-grained
matrix
Texture – fragments are variable in size—from blocks to bombs
Mineralogy – very variable and dependent on the source rock (e.g., basalt, ande-
site)
Occurrence – found in the proximal area of volcanoes (craters, rims), associated
with tuffs and lava flows. Volcanic breccia—angular fragments/clasts; agglomer-
ate—rounded fragments/clasts
3.9 · Pyroclastic Rocks
95 3
z Ashes and tuff
Tuff (scale 2 cm)
Color – dark to light (depending on composition)

Grain size – fine (<2 mm diameter)
Texture – tuff is consolidated ash, often laminated/bedded like sediment, may
show grading. Often includes lithic fragments (e.g., rhyolites, andesite = lithic ash/
tuff), glassy fragments (e.g., pumice = vitreous ash/tuff), or crystals (e.g., feldspar,
hornblende = crystal ash/tuff). Sometimes with lapilli (round to elliptical frag-
ments, 2–64 mm diameter = lapilli tuff). Fragments (e.g., pumice) may be com-
pressed (fiamme) and are typical of welded tuffs.
Mineralogy – very variable and dependent on the source rock (e.g., basalt tuff,
rhyolite tuff, andesite tuff, trachyte tuff)
Occurrence – airborne ash, transported by eruption column and wind. Coarse-
grained material is deposited proximally, but fine-grained dust can be transported
hundreds of kilometers. Associated with lava flows, agglomerates, and sediments.
Ash and tuff layers can form important marker horizons
z Ignimbrite
Non-welded ignimbrite
Color – variable, gray, reddish, yellowish, brown, black (depending on composi-

tion and density)
Grain size – amorphous/glassy, rare phenocrysts (biotite, quartz, sanidine, horn-
blende, rarely pyroxene)
Texture – matrix of glass shards/ash with fragments of pumice (lapilli, <1 cm di-
ameter), glass or crystals. Fragments of pumice can be flattened (fiamme), espe-
cially in the lower part of the flow. Often layered. Columnar jointing sometimes
present.
Mineralogy – variable—depending on initial magma composition (e.g. dacite, rhy-
olite, rarely basalts)
Occurrence – deposited from highly concentrated pyroclastic flows (glowing
clouds—nueés ardentes)—mixtures of gas and fragments (ash and pumice lapilli).
Associated with lava flows, agglomerates, and sediments
3.10 · Ultramafic Rocks
97 3
3.10 Ultramafic Rocks
z Dunite
Dunite (scale 2 cm)
Color – green, brownish

Grain size – coarse
Texture – granular, sometimes layered
Mineralogy – olivine (>90%), pyroxene, chromite, magnetite, and garnet.
Occurrence – found as cumulates of olivine and pyroxene in basaltic magma
chambers. Present in layered gabbros or anorthosites associated with peridotite
z Peridotite
Peridotite (scale 2 cm)

Color – greenish to black

Texture – coarse, sometimes layered, rarely porphyritic
Mineralogy – olivine (40–90%), pyroxene and/or amphibole. Accessory miner-
als include biotite, chromite, garnet, and plagioclase. Harzburgite is a pure oli-
3 vine-orthopyroxene rock, without augite
Occurrence – dominant rock in the Earth’s mantle. Probably forms as a cumulate
of olivine crystals in a basaltic magma. Found in intrusive bodies (dikes, small
stocks) and forming oceanic crust (lowermost part of an ophiolite sequence), also
as part of stratified gabbro intrusions (with pyroxenite and anorthosite). Occurs
as xenoliths in basalts
99 4
Metamorphic Rocks
Contents
4.1 Metamorphic Facies – 100
4.2 Structures and Microstructures of Metamorphic

Rocks – 101
4.3 Describing Metamorphic Rocks – 105
4.4 Recognition and Classification of Metamorphic

Rocks – 107
4.5 Contact Metamorphic Rocks – 109
4.6 Regional Metamorphic Rocks – 111

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2_4
100 Chapter 4 · Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphosis, in the geological sense, comprises the various mineralogi-

cal, structural, and chemical transformations that occurs when rocks within the
Earth’s crust are subjected to elevated temperatures (between diagenesis at max.
c. 200 °C and melting at c. 850 °C) or pressures, or contact with hot mineral-rich
fluids (or more usually, a combination of these factors). Metamorphism resulting
from increasing temperatures and pressures is termed prograde metamorphism,
with the opposite being termed retrograde metamorphism. The original rock
(whether magmatic, sedimentary, or metamorphic in origin) is called a protolith.
4 Metamorphism occurs at different scales and is generally classified as regional or
local metamorphism.
Regional metamorphism:
5 Orogenic metamorphism—occurs in areas of mountain building (orogeny)
during crustal deformation associated with plate convergence.
5 Burial metamorphism—occurs in rocks which have been buried under signifi-
cant thicknesses of sediments or volcanic rocks.
5 Ocean-ridge metamorphism—is associated with the presence of mid-ocean
ridges.
Characteristic series of metamorphic rocks exist in areas that have undergone re-
gional metamorphism. They typically cover large areas (102–103 km2).
Local metamorphism:
5 Hydrothermal metamorphism—occurs in zones where hydrothermal and
other fluids circulate (metasomatism).
5 Impact metamorphism—occurs due to the impact of an extraterrestrial body
(shock metamorphism)
5 Contact metamorphism—occurs in the host/country rock surrounding mag-
matic intrusions (for granitic intrusions at temperatures of around 800–
850 °C, for gabbro or diorite intrusions the temperatures are 900–1100 °C).
Extensive contact aureoles (up to approx. 10 km) can form around large intru-
sions.
The most common form of local metamorphism occurs in contact zones of mag-
matic intrusions. Here thermal energy is transferred directly from the intrusive
rocks to the host rock. The presence of magmatic fluids can also result in exten-
sive metasomatism around granitic intrusions. In large aureoles, mineralization
zones with clear proximal (high-grade minerals) to distal (low-grade minerals) re-
lationships can form. Contact metamorphism may also be restricted to small ar-
eas (centimeters to meters), such as around sills or dikes.
4.1 Metamorphic Facies
The metamorphic facies scheme helps to describe and classify metamorphic rocks
on the basis of their mineralogy (. Fig. 4.1). In areas which have undergone
metamorphism, minerals will recrystallize to new minerals as a result of chang-
ing pressure and temperature conditions. Indeed, there is a direct relationship
4.2 · Structures and Microstructures of Metamorphic Rocks
101 4
. Fig. 4.1 Distribution of metamorphic facies as a function of pressure (depth) and temperature (af-
ter Blatt et al. 2006)
etween the minerals formed and the metamorphic conditions (e.g. temperature,
b
pressure, fluids). Thus, each metamorphic facies can be defined by a suite of char-
acteristic minerals.
Twelve facies are currently recognised ranging from the zeolite facies (low
pressure, low temperature) to the eclogite facies (high pressure). (. Fig. 4.1).
However, for field purposes it is easier to focus on recognising the key minerals
and establishing the main pressure/temperature conditions under which metamor-
phism took place (. Fig. 4.1, . Table 4.1).
4.2 Structures and Microstructures of Metamorphic Rocks
Variations in the structure and composition of metamorphic rocks depend both

on the changing pressure and temperature conditions and on the original par-
ent rock. The role of fluids (i.e., metasomatism) is also important. Processes such
as pressure solution, melting, and tectonic deformation form the starting point
for a number of characteristic structures. These are often linear/planar in form,
. Table 4.1 Common metamorphic rock compositions and the key minerals present within
them. The minerals present correspond to particular metamorphic conditions (i.e. pressure/
temperature) (after Argles in Coe 2010)
Pressure/ Ultramafic Mafic rocks Felsic rocks Pelitic rocks Calcareous

temperature rocks (basalt) (granite) (mudstone) rocks
conditions (peridotite) (impure
limestone)
Low tem- Serpentine Chlorite Chlorite, epi- Chlorite Talc
4 perature dote
Low pres- Pyroxenes, Andalusite Andalusite,
sure olivine cordierite
No garnet No garnet
Medium Talc (com- Actino- Chloritoid, Tremolite
pressure/ mon) lite, epidote, staurolite
tempera- zoisite
ture
High pres- Lawsonite, Na-pyrox- Zoisite
sure Na-pyroxene, kyanite
ene, rutile, No plagi-
glaucophane oclase
No plagi-
oclase
High tem- Orthopyrox- Clinopyrox- Orthopyrox- Sillimanite, Wollas-
perature ene ene, orthopy- ene, cord- spinel, or- tonite,
roxene ierite, silli- thopyrox- Mg-olivine,
manite ene No mus- Ca-pyrox-
covite ene, spinel
Wide pres- Olivine, chlo- Garnet, Quartz, bio- Muscovite, Calcite, do-
sure and rite, magne- hornblende, tite, K-feld- biotite, gar- lomite, pla-
temperature site plagioclase, spar, plagi- net, quartz, gioclase,
ranges biotite, oclase, mus- plagioclase Ca-garnet,
quartz, ti- covite hornblende,
tanite chlorite,
epidote
and thus, metamorphic rocks can be broadly subdivided into foliated (e.g., schist,
gneiss) and non-foliated rocks (e.g., quartzite, marble).
z Lineation
Lineation forms in areas of ductile deformation, where minerals and mineral ag-
gregates (e.g., hornblende, tourmaline) within the rock become oriented in the
principal deformation direction.
4.2 · Structures and Microstructures of Metamorphic Rocks
103 4
Mineral lineation, Monte Rosa Nappe, Italian Alps (scale 2 cm; Photo N. Froitzheim)
z Foliation
Foliation is a general term referring to laminar/planar layering in metamorphic
rocks. These planar structures form as a result of deformation and result from
the parallel alignment of sheet silicate minerals (e.g., schist) and/or compositional
layering (e.g., gneiss) and may represent original features that have been over-
printed by deformation.
Cleavage is a parallel foliation (layering) typical of fine-grained or low-grade
metamorphic rocks where minerals show a preferred orientation (e.g., slatey
cleavage). Cleavage planes are generally not parallel to bedding, but formed as a
result of deformation.
Cleavage, Val Trupchun, Switzerland. (Picture width 20 cm; Photo N. Froitzheim)
Schistosity is a type of foliation characteristic of coarser and intermediate- to

high-grade metamorphic rocks in which platy minerals (e.g., mica, chlorite) show
a preferred orientation (e.g., mica schist).
Schistosity
Gneissic texture occurs when the foliation of a rock consists of millimeter to cen-
timeter thick bands in which the mineral ratios, colors, or textures vary. Gneiss is
characterized by its banding, a foliation that develops during dynamic metamor-
phism which results in the formation of dark- and light-colored mineral bands.
Where partial melting occurs, a migmatite (transitional between a metamorphic
and a magmatic rock) may form.
Kink bands form due to the deformation/folding of foliation planes. They
form in clay-rich shales as a result of lateral compression which leads to buckling.
Kink bands, Alpbach, Austria (scale 30 cm; Photo K. Wellnitz)

4.3 · Describing Metamorphic Rocks
105 4
Shear zones form as a result of localized deformation (ductile, brittle, or mixed)
which is concentrated in a planar zone between rocks which are less deformed.
Shear zone in sandstone
4.3 Describing Metamorphic Rocks
The high temperatures and pressures that occur in rocks during metamorphosis
result in the formation of a number of characteristic features.
z Mineral Growth
One major effect of the elevated temperatures is the increase in grain size in most
rocks as a result of recrystallization.
z Growth of Porphyroblasts
Large, generally euhedral, crystals which develop as a result of metamorphism
are termed porphyroblasts. These are broadly the metamorphic equivalents of
phenocrysts in magmatic rocks.. The particular arrangement of the porphyro-
blasts in the rock forms a characteristic structure. The following terms are impor-
tant:
5 Porphyroblastic texture—a granular texture where the large crystals (porphy-
roblasts) are significantly larger than the fine-grained groundmass.
5 Granoblastic texture—a texture where the individual crystals are approxi-
mately equigranular and there are no porphyroblasts.
5 Augen—are eye-shaped porphyroblasts or porphyroclasts (fragments of the
original rock, prior to metamorphism) of minerals or mineral aggregates in
rocks which have undergone metamorphism and shearing. They are sur-
rounded by microshears and may rotate during deformation.
Augengneiss, Austria (scale 16 cm; Photo N. Froitzheim)
z Boudinage
Sausage-shaped structures (boudins) formed in porphyroblasts/clasts due to
shearing and stretching.
Boudinage, Pohorje, Slovenia (scale 2.5 cm; Photo N. Froitzheim)
z Mylonitization (reduction in grain size)

In areas of pervasive ductile deformation, grain size may be reduced during met-
amorphism. This process is termed mylonitization, and the resultant rocks are
called mylonites.
4.4 · Recognition and Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
107 4
Mylonite, Moine Thrust, Scotland (scale 30 cm; Photo N. Froitzheim)
4.4 Recognition and Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
The classification of metamorphic rocks is based on the source rock (protolith)

and the degree of deformation. Metamorphic rocks (e.g., slate, rock, gneiss) are
given an appropriate prefix if they have a characteristic composition, for example,
garnet gneiss, mica schist. In addition, there are historical names for certain meta-
morphic rocks (e.g., marble).
z Protolith
There are three main groups of metamorphic rocks based on the parent rock;
ranging from clastic sedimentary rocks (e.g., sandstones), calcareous rocks (e.g.,
limestones), and mafic or intermediate volcanic or pyroclastic rocks (e.g., basalts,
andesites). Other metamorphic rocks, which do not belong to the these groups,
include granulite, serpentinite, skarn, and mylonite (. Table 4.2).
z Texture
The microstructure (including crystal/grain size) often provides an important in-
dication of the intensity (degree) and type of metamorphism (. Table 4.3). Very
fine-grained rocks are usually found in areas of low-grade metamorphism or in
regions associated with surficial contact metamorphism. Rocks which formed un-
der regional metamorphic conditions generally show an increase in grain size,
with the increase often reflecting the degree of metamorphism.
z Foliation
The type of schistosity also provides an indication of the degree of metamorpho-
sis (. Table 4.3):
5 Low-grade metamorphism—cleavage
5 Moderate metamorphism—schistosity
5 High-grade metamorphism—gneiss banding
. Table 4.2 Source rocks of the various metamorphic rocks
Protolith Regional Medium-grade High-grade Contact

metamorphism metamorphism metamorphism metamorphism
Low-grade (400–650 °C) (>650 °C)
metamorphism
(<400 °C)
Mudstone Slate/phyllite Mica schist Gneiss, granu- Hornfels
lite, amphibolite
4 Quartz sand- Quartz schist Quartzite Quartzite Quartzite
stone
Graywacke, Quartzite, phyl- Mica schist Gneiss, granulite
Arkose lite
Limestone Marble Marble Marble Marble, skarn
Marl, marly Limestone schist Mica lime slate Calcium silicate Calc-silicate
limestone gneiss rock, skarn
Granite, rhy- Gneiss Gneiss Gneiss Hornfels
olite
Basalt, diorite, Greenschist Amphibolite Amphibolite, Mafic hornfels
gabbro (low pressure), (low pressure), granulite (low
blueschist (high eclogite (high pressure), eclog-
pressure) pressure) ite (high pres-
sure)
. Table 4.3 Grain size and schistosity of metamorphic rocks (after Fry 1984)
Slate group Gneiss group Fels group

Grain size Fine grained Medium to coarse Fine to coarse grained
grained
Foliation Strong cleavage, splits Weaker cleavage, splits No foliation
into thin sheets into thick plates
z Mineralogy
Mineralogy contains important information about the nature of the protolith
as well as the degree of metamorphism and the metamorphic facies, with spe-
cific minerals often related to particular P-T conditions. Examples include: glau-
cophane (HP or UHP rocks), diamond (UHP rocks) as well as particular so-
called index minerals (e.g. chlorite, biotite, hornblende, garnet, staurolite, silli-
manite, glaucophane) (. Table 4.1).
4.5 · Contact Metamorphic Rocks
109 4
4.5 Contact Metamorphic Rocks
z Hornfels
Hornfels (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – speckled appearance, various colors including black, dark brown, gray,
and green
Texture – fine to medium grained (sometimes with porphyroblasts)
Structure – often massive, primary structures can sometimes be recognized
Mineralogy – fine-grained matrix with porphyroblasts (e.g., cordierite, andalusite,
pyroxene, biotite, garnet, sillimanite)
Occurrence – high-temperature rock, typical in areas of contact metamorphism
Varieties
5 Andalusite-cordierite hornfels—porphyroblasts of andalusite and/or cordierite
5 Pyroxene hornfels—porphyroblasts of pyroxene, andalusite and/or cordierite;
areas of high-temperature contact metamorphism
z Marble
Marble
Color – white or grey, various other colours possible (including black, red, green—
often streaked or patchily distributed)
Texture – medium to coarse-grained, granular/sugary
Structure – sedimentary structures (e.g., bedding) may be preserved. Fossils may
also be present at low grades of metamorphism
Mineralogy – mainly calcite (up to 99%), also dolomite, sometimes olivine, amphi-
bole, chlorite, serpentine, tremolite, mica, epidote, graphite, plagioclase, pyrite, or
quartz
Occurrence – forms due to the metamorphism of limestone around magmatic in-
trusions. Marble may pass laterally into limestone. Associated with hornfels and
skarn
4.6 · Regional Metamorphic Rocks
111 4
z Skarn
Skarn (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – black, brown, gray, often very variable

Texture – fine to coarse grained
Structure – minerals often concentrated in layers, nodules or lenses
Mineralogy – calcium-rich silicates (but also iron, magnesium, manganese, and al-
uminium silicates), also olivine, garnet, pyroxene, and sulfides
Occurrence – a mineralized calc-silicate rock formed at the contact area between
granite (sometimes syenite or diorite) and (mainly) calcareous rocks, as a result
of fluid migration (metasomatism); elements (Si, Mg, Fe) from the magma mi-
grate into the calcareous rocks and form a range of silicate minerals and some-
times ores
4.6 Regional Metamorphic Rocks
z Slate
Color – various colors, including gray, black, blue, green, and brown
Texture – fine grained
Structure – foliated (slatey cleavage)
Mineralogy – clay minerals (chlorite, kaolinite, illite), quartz, mica (but due to
the grain size it is difficult to identify individual minerals);. Sometimes porphyro-
blasts of pyrite
Occurrence – low-grade metamorphic rock. Regional metamorphic alteration of
fine-grained clastic sediments (mudstone, siltstone) or fine-grained tuffs
z Phyllite
Phyllite (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – often greenish/grayish, with a characteristic silky sheen on the foliation

surfaces
Texture – fine to medium grained. Well developed schistosity (due to the platey
minerals); sometimes porphyroblasts
Structure – small crinkles/corrugations often present
Mineralogy – chlorite and/or muscovite (sericite), also quartz, feldspar, biotite,
graphite, epidote, and garnet
Occurrence – form due to low-grade metamorphism of pelitic rocks; often pass
laterally into mica schist
z Mica Schist
Mica schist with garnet (scale 2.2 cm)

113 4
Biotite-chlorite schist (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – green or grayish (chlorite schist), gray (graphite schist) or white, (musco-
vite/sericite schist); brownish or black (biotite schist/muscovite schist). Some mi-
ca-rich schists can be shiny/reflective
Texture – fine to medium grained; biotite or muscovite schists can be coarser
grained
Structure – lamellar, planar, flakey (schistose)
Mineralogy – usually muscovite and quartz, other minerals (e.g., feldspar, chlorite,
muscovite/sericite, biotite, garnet, hornblende, kyanite, sillimanite etc.) may also
be present, as may porphyroblasts (e.g., albite in chlorite schist)
Occurrence – forms at higher temperatures than phyllite; fine-grained sediments
are the protolith for chlorite schists (low-grade); mica (sericite) schists result when
the same rocks undergo a higher grade of metamorphism. Both are often associ-
ated with phyllites. Where muddy sandstones are the protolith, quartz-muscovite
schists may form
Varieties
5 Biotite schist—often brown/black, reflective, biotite is an index mineral for re-
gional metamorphism
5 Garnet mica schist—with garnet porphyroblasts (up to cm size), typical for re-
gional metamorphism
5 Staurolite schist—high-grade metamorphic rock with staurolite porphyro-
blasts
z Greenschist
Chlorite schist (scale 2 cm)
Color – green
Structure – schistose, lamellar
Mineralogy – chlorite, epidote, talc, amphibole (actinolite), glaucophane, lesser
amounts of quartz and muscovite
Occurrence – protoliths are mainly basalt, gabbro, and also fine-grained sediments
Varieties
5 Talc schist—soft green slate, very easy to split, feels greasy
5 Chlorite schist—often green, sometimes albite or chloritoid porphyroblasts
5 Glaucophane schist—dark colored due to high percentage of glaucophane. A
high-pressure metamorphic rock
z Granulite
Granulite
115 4
Color – gray, black, brown, sometimes almost white
Texture – medium to coarse grained, granoblastic
Structure – massive, sometimes weakly banded
Mineralogy – mainly feldspar, sometimes quartz and other minerals (dependent
on the protolith, but typically pyroxene, sillimanite, kyanite, garnet, biotite, horn-
blende). If the source rock is a mudstone, the granulites contain feldspar, quartz,
pyroxene, spinel, cordierite, and rare garnets
Occurrence – high temperature/moderate-pressure rocks often formed during re-
gional metamorphism
z Eclogite
Eclogite (scale 2.7 cm)
Color – green, sometimes reddish

Texture – medium to coarse grained, high density rock
Structure – granular, massive, sometimes banded. Porphyroblasts (garnets, pyrox-
ene) may be present
Mineralogy – pyroxene and garnets. Accessory minerals include rutile, kyanite,
hornblende and quartz
Occurrence – form due to the high/ultrahigh pressure alteration of mafic igneous
rocks; occurs as blocks/lenses (km size) in masses of igneous/metamorphic rocks;
often as xenoliths associated with peridotites and serpentinites
z Quartzite
Quartzite (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – white, gray, can also be pink or reddish

Texture – medium to coarse grained
Structure – granular, massive (non-foliated), primary sedimentary structures may
be preserved
Mineralogy – quartz, rare feldspar or mica
Occurrence – the protolith is a quartz-rich sandstone; often associated with other
metamorphic rocks (e.g., marble, phyllite)
z Gneiss
Augen gneiss (scale 17 cm)

117 4
Color – alternating light- and dark-colored bands (gneissic banding)
Texture – medium to coarse-grained, light bands are massive, dark bands may
show foliation
Structure – compositional banding, with bands > 1 cm; weak foliation
Mineralogy – light-colored bands contain felsic minerals (e.g., feldspar and
quartz), while dark-coloured bands contain mafic minerals e.g., mica (muscovite,
biotite) and hornblende, sometimes garnet, epidote, pyroxene, sillimanite, and
cordierite
Occurrence – high temperature and high pressure rock derived from magmatic
(orthogneiss, e.g., granite gneiss) or sedimentary (paragneiss) rocks; associated
with both granites/pegmatites and migmatites
Varieties
5 Augen gneiss—with sheared feldspar porphyroblasts or feldspar/quartz aggre-
gates
z Amphibolite
Amphibolite
Color – black, gray, gray-green, dark green, green

Texture – medium to coarse-grained (sometimes fine-grained)
Structure – often massive, foliation may be present (but often weak—due to lack
of mica). Sometimes with porphyroblasts
Mineralogy – hornblende, plagioclase, chlorite, epidote, pyroxene, garnet (where
P > 5 kbar); biotite and rare quartz in para-amphibolites
Occurrence – protolith is often basic igneous rocks (ortho-amphibolite), but can
also be sedimentary rocks (para-amphibolite)
z Serpentinite
Serpentinite (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – gray-green, green, black. Often irregular bands or flecks of color

Texture – medium to coarse-grained, massive, also fibrous or flaky. Greasy feeling.
Sometimes weak schistosity present
Structure – often banded/striped, often crossed by veins of chrysotile serpentine
Mineralogy – serpentine group minerals (chrysotile, antigorite). Accessory miner-
als include: olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, garnet, chromite, magnetite. Cal-
cite is often present
Occurrence – result from secondary alteration (serpentinization) of ultrabasic
magmatic rocks (mainly peridotite). Often in lenses within metamorphic rocks
(derived from olivine-rich rocks)
119 5
Sedimentary Rocks
Contents
5.1 Sediment Structures (Current and Wave

Movement) – 120
5.2 Post-Depositional Structures – 124
5.3 Biogenic Structures – 126
5.4 Mass Flows – 128
5.5 Describing Sedimentary Rocks – 130

5.5.1 Clastic Sedimentary Rocks – 130
5.5.2 Non-Clastic Sedimentary Rocks – 133
5.5.3 Evaporites, Cherts, Iron-Rich Rocks, Phosphates
and Organic Sediments – 137
5.6 Selected Sedimentary Rocks – 138

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2_5
120 Chapter 5 · Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks form at low temperatures and pressures at, or close to, the
Earth’s surface as a result of the accumulation of particles (clastic sediments) or
through the precipitation from solutions or the accumulation of organic material
(non-clastic sediments) (. Fig. 5.1). Four groups can be identified:
5 Terrigenous (clastic) sediments—comprising detrital components (e.g., miner-
als, lithic fragments, fossil fragments) derived from existing rocks.
5 Biogenic (bioclastic/organic) sediments—mainly comprising biogenic frag-
ments (e.g., shells) and material formed by organic processes (e.g., peat, coal).
5 Chemical (authigenic) sediments—formed as a result of direct precipitation of
crystalline material from supersaturated fluids (e.g., chert).
5 Volcanoclastic (volcanogenic/pyroclastic) sediments—comprising mainly detri-
5 tal materials produced in volcanic areas (e.g. tuff, see 7 Chap. 3).
5.1 Sediment Structures (Current and Wave Movement)
Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments which have been initially subjected
to transport and deposition by water, wind, and ice as well as a result of direct
precipitation. The structures that form during deposition are indicative of the en-
ergy conditions within the depositing medium (i.e., usually water).
z Planar Beds and Laminae

In areas of low energy, for example, when current flow starts to slow down, thin
layers of sand are deposited (parallel lamination). Laminae have a thickness of
<1 cm, while beds are >1 cm thick (. Table 5.1).
. Fig. 5.1 Main components of sedimentary rocks. (After Nichols 2009)

5.1 · Sediment Structures (Current and Wave Movement)
121 5
. Table 5.1 Form and terminology of layering and lamination. (After Stow 2006)
Designation Bed thickness (cm)
Bedding
Very thick bedding >100
Thick bedding 30–100
Medium bedding 10–30
Fine bedding 3–10
Very fine bedding 1–3
Lamination
Thick lamination 0.6–1
Medium lamination 0.3–0.6
Fine lamination 0.1–0.3
Very fine lamination <0.1
Parallel lamination, Almeria, Spain (scale 2.5 cm)

Thick bedding in deltaic sediments, Almeria, Spain (scale 30 cm)
Bedded turbidites, Wales (scale 2.5 cm)
z Ripples and Dunes—Cross-Bedding and Cross-Lamination

Ripples are small bedforms that are generated as a result of a unidirectional flow
(current ripple) or oscillating wave movement (wave ripple). While the former are
asymmetrical, the latter are predominantly symmetrical. Dunes are similar to ripples,
but are larger bedforms mainly found in marine and aeolian systems and deposited
by current or wind action. Cross-bedding forms as a result of the downstream migra-
tion of ripples or dunes. Planar ripples produce tabular (planar) cross-bedding, while
wavy ripples produce trough cross-bedding.
5.1 · Sediment Structures (Current and Wave Movement)
123 5
Current ripple, northern Spain (scale 30 cm)
Cross-bedding/stratification in fossil dunes, Utah, USA (picture width approximately 5 m)
z Structures in Sand-Clay Mixtures

Variations in wave or flow energy can result in the formation of intermediate
structures with a lenticular or wave-like appearance in mixed-grade sediments.
Flaser lamination occurs mainly in sand-rich systems, with thin mud laminae/
partings. Lenticular lamination occurs when isolated ripples are surrounded by
mud. Wavy lamination is an intermediate form.
z Erosional Structures
Erosive currents can result in the formation of a variety of structures in previ-
ously deposited sediments (e.g., flute marks/casts or gutter casts).
Flute marks, Aberystwyth, Wales (picture width approx. 1 m)
Gutter casts, Harz area, Germany (scale 30 cm)
5.2 Post-Depositional Structures
Recently deposited sediments are often relatively soft due to the amount of water
trapped within the pore spaces (. Fig. 5.2). This softness/wetness, coupled some-
times with density differences, can result in the formation of a variety of struc-
tures:
5 Convolute bedding/lamination—deformation occurs due to shock, deposi-
tional loading or frictional drag due to the passage of a current.
5.2 · Post-Depositional Structures
125 5
. Fig. 5.2 Post-depositional structures in sediments. a Convolute bedding. b Flame structure. c Load

structure (B) and ball structure (Ba). d Sandstone dykes
5 Density contrasts—these can result in denser sediment sinking downwards

(load structures, detaching to form ball/pillow structures) or less dense sedi-
ment moving upwards (flame structures).
5 Sandstone dykes and sills—vertical (dykes) and horizontal (sills) structures
which form when liquefied sand is forcefully injected upward through the
overlying sediments (often through fractures).
5 Dessication cracks (mudcracks)—polygonal cracks which form as a result of
the drying out of cohesive muddy sediments in subaerial environments.
5 Slides and slumps—mass movements of sediment (up to 500 km3), which are
set in motion by an external trigger (e.g., earthquake, depositional loading)
(. Fig. 5.2). The material can then move downslope. Slides show no internal
deformation, unlike slumps which do.
Dessication cracks, Almeria, Spain (picture width approx. 50 cm)
Slump, Llangranog, Wales (scale 30 cm)
5.3 Biogenic Structures
z Ichnofossils (Trace Fossils)

Ichnofossils are records of biological activity which can be described and classi-
fied according to their morphology and their position in/on the bed. Ichnofossils
and ichnofossil associations (ichnofacies) provide much useful information on en-
ergy, nutrient, and oxygen levels as well as salinity, and also provide valuable in-
formation about water depth.
5.3 · Biogenic Structures
127 5
Ichnofossil: Scolicia, Northern Spain (scale 17 cm)
z Stromatolites
Stromatolite, Almeria (scale 30 cm)
Laminated (laminae <1 mm, often crinkly/corrugated), structures generally found

in fine-grained carbonates. They form as a result of the trapping of carbonate
sediment by microbial mats (blue and green algae) and the precipitation of dis-
solved matter from microorganisms. The resulting structures are often hemispher-
ical in shape.
5.4 Mass Flows
Mass (or gravity/density) flows are mixtures of sediment and liquid that move
downslope under the influence of gravity and a variety of physical mechanisms.
Four main types can be identified.
z Debris Flows
Dense, viscous mixtures of sediment (mud to boulder + size) and water with a
higher proportion of sediment than water. The flows are laminar (fragments
move parallel to one another; no sediment mixing) and the resulting deposit (deb-
5 rite) is poorly sorted (e.g., matrix-supported conglomerate).
Debrite, Almeria, Spain (scale 30 cm)
z Turbidity Flows
Turbulent mixtures of sediment and water (turbidite flows); mostly found in the
deep sea. Sediment sorting is very good and forms turbidites with characteristic
internal structures (i.e., Bouma sequence, with typically 5 subdivisions).
5.4 · Mass Flows
129 5
Turbidite succession, northern Spain (scale 1.8 m)
z Grain Flows
Occur as a result of grain-grain collisions in well-sorted sediments (e.g., aeolian
sands), where the sediment avalanches down a steep slope.
Grain flow, Garzweiler, Germany (scale 20 cm)

z Liquefied Flows
Occur when a water-logged sediment body is shocked (e.g., earthquake). This re-
sults in the upward movement of pore fluids, resulting in destabilization (liquefac-
tion) of the sediment body.
5.5 Describing Sedimentary Rocks
5.5.1 Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

5
Initial descriptions of clastic sediments can be based on their composition—the
percentages of the main components—usually quartz, feldspar, and lithic frag-
ments (. Fig. 5.3) or the grain/particle size of the components.
Based on grain size, clastic rocks can be subdivided into:
5 Gravel and conglomerate—grains (clasts) >2 mm in diameter
5 Sand and sandstone—grains between 2 mm and 1/16 mm (0.063 mm) in diam-
eter
5 Clay, silt, and mudstone, siltstone—grains < 0.063 mm in diameter
The grain size of a sediment depends very much on the energy of the transport-
ing medium, for example, coarse-grained conglomerates require a higher degree
of transport energy than fine-grained sands (. Fig. 5.4). Other features which are
. Fig. 5.3 Classification of sandstones. (After Pettijohn 1975)

5.5 · Describing Sedimentary Rocks
131 5
. Fig. 5.4 Grain-size distribution and sediment-type classification according to DIN EN ISO 14688
and Udden-Wentworth. (After Stow 2006; Blatt et al. 2006)
used to describe the grains/clasts include, sphericity (the degree to which a particle
approximates a sphere), roundness (the degree of curvature of a particle) and sort-
ing (the distribution of grain size, e.g., poorly sorted = range of grain sizes).
Within a bed, grain-size distribution can occur due to increases/decreases in
current energy (. Fig. 5.5):
5
. Fig. 5.5 Normal (a) and inverse/reverse (b) grading in individual deposits. (After Stow 2006; Nich-
ols 2009)
5 normal grading—upward decrease in grain size (decrease in flow velocity)

5 inverse/reverse grading—upward increase in grain size (increase in flow veloc-
ity)
Normal grading, Uzbekistan (scale 10 cm)
z Conglomerates and Breccias

A sedimentary rock comprising a mixture of clasts (diameter >2 mm) in a fin-
er-grained matrix. A conglomerate contains rounded clasts, whereas a breccia has
angular clasts (. Fig. 5.6).
5 Matrix-supported conglomerates—the individual clasts are separate from one
another
5 Clast-supported conglomerates—the individual clasts are in contact with one
another
133 5
. Fig. 5.6 Description of the distribution of clasts within a conglomerate. a Matrix-supported con-

glomerate. b Clast-supported conglomerate
Two main subdivisions are made based on composition:

5 monomictic—the clasts all have the same lithology
5 polymictic—the clasts comprise a range of lithologies
z Sandstones
Sands and sandstones are sediments where the individual grain sizes range from
0.063–2 mm. They can be subdivided according to their grain size into very fine,
fine, medium, coarse and very coarse (see . Fig. 5.4). The percentage of ma-
trix or feldspars present can also be used to classify sandstones (e.g., greywacke,
arkose).
z Silts and Muds

The most fine-grained sediments, mainly deposited in low-energy environments,
are silts (0.002–0.063 mm) and clays (<0.002 mm). The former can be divided
into coarse, medium, fine, and very fine (. Fig. 5.4). Muds are mixtures of silt-
and clay-sized particles.
5.5.2 Non-Clastic Sedimentary Rocks
Limestone and dolostone (dolomite) Carbonate rocks and sediments are predomi-
nantly of biogenic origin (e.g., shells and shell fragments, calcareous algae) form-
ing as a result of carbonate precipitation, coupled with biochemical processes
(. Table 5.2). By definition, a limestone is any sedimentary rock containing >50%
calcium carbonate, whereas dolostone (dolomite) is a carbonate rock with a high
magnesium content. Carbonate production is mainly (but not exclusively) lim-
ited to tropical and subtropical areas. Most limestones are formed in coastal ar-
eas and shallow-marine environments. In addition, carbonates also form in caves
(stalagmites/stalactites), springs (tufa), soil horizons (calcrete), lakes, and in
deep-marine environments.
. Table 5.2 Classification of carbonate rocks. (After Stow 2006)
Main types Subtypes Properties and genesis

Limestones (CaCO3 dom- Subdivision based on: Carbonate particles formed
inant) a) Grain size: calciru- by primary chemical precip-
dite >2 mm calcaren- itation, biogenic secretion,
ite 0.063–2 mm calcilutite and as fragments of lime-
<0.063 mm stone skeletons. Also erosion
b) Textural features (accord- of existing carbonate rocks
ing to Dunham): grainstone,
packstone wackestone, mud-
5 stone, boundstone, floatstone,

rudstone, bafflestone, bind-
stone, framestone
Dolomite (Ca Mg(CO3)2) Subdivision according to the Most dolomites/dolostones
degree of dolomitization: are formed by partial or
<10% dolomite = limestone; complete displacement of
10–50% dolomite = dolo- limestone; may occur during
mitic limestone; 50–90% dolo- early diagenesis in evaporitic
mite = calcareous dolomite; environments, but usually
>90% dolomite = dolomite form subsequent to burial
Calcium carbonate can occur either as calcite (stable form) or aragonite (un-
stable at Earth surface temperatures and pressures). Aragonite recrystallizes over
time to calcite. The calcium ion in CaCO3 is sometimes replaced by other miner-
als, e.g., Mg (dolomite), Sr (strontianite) and Fe (ankerite).
Texturally, carbonates are similar to clastic sediments (e.g., grain roundness,
grain sorting) or to chemical precipitates (crystal intergrowths), or they may be
a mixture of both. In addition, they also include a variety of organic structures
(e.g., stromatolites, reefs). Based on their grain size, carbonates can be divided
into three main types:
5 calcirudite (equivalent to conglomerate)—grains (clasts) >2 mm in diameter
5 calcarenite (equivalent to sandstone)—grains between 0.063–2 mm in diame-
ter
5 calcilutite (equivalent to mudstone)—grains <0.063 mm in diameter
More detailed schemes are also available, one is described below.
z Dunham Classification
This classification scheme uses mainly textural criteria, although the nature of the
grains (e.g., ooid, peloid) can also be taken into account. It is mainly used to de-
scribe carbonates in outcrop/hand sample (. Fig. 5.7).
The main components are skeletal fragments (e.g., molluscs, brachiopods,
sponges, corals) and carbonate-forming algae (e.g., red and green algae) as well as
bioherms (e.g., corals, stromatolites). Non-biogenic components are also impor-
tant (. Fig. 5.8), including
135 5
. Fig. 5.7 Classification of limestones based on depositional texture. (After Dunham 1962, with
modifications by Embry and Klovan 1971)
. Fig. 5.8 Non-biogenic fragments in limestones: a Ooid. b Pisoid. c Peloid. d Oncoid. e Intraclast.

(After Nichols 2009)
5 Ooids—small (<2 mm in diameter), spherical carbonate grains with a concen-

tric internal structure. Form in moderate to high-energy environments.
5 Peloids—small (<2 mm in diameter), spheroidal, ovoid or irregularly-shaped
carbonate grains with no internal structure. Often the faeces of marine organ-
isms.
5 Oncoids—roughly spherical grains/clasts (up to 10 cm diameter) often formed
by encrusting cyanobacteria.
5 Intraclasts—carbonate fragments that have been eroded, transported, and re-
deposited within the depositional environment.
137 5
. Table 5.3 Main minerals in evaporite deposits. (After Stow 2006; Blatt et al. 2006)
Main types Minerals Chemical composition
Marine evaporites
Chlorides Halite NaCl
Sylvite/Sylvine KCl
Sulfates Anhydrite CaSO4
Gypsum CaSO4 2H2O
Carbonates Calcite CaCO3
Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2
Nonmarine evaporites
Carbonates Trona NaHCO3 Na2CO3 2H2O
Sulfates Gypsum CaSO4 2H2O
Anhydrite CaSO4
Chlorides Halite NaCl
5.5.3 Evaporites, Cherts, Iron-Rich Rocks, Phosphates

and Organic Sediments
Evaporites are formed by precipitation from an aqueous solution which, as a re-

sult of evaporation, has become concentrated with respect to a particular min-
eral. Around 70 different evaporite minerals are known (. Table 5.3).
Evaporites are often deeply buried (e.g., Zechstein, Northern Germany), and
many of these ancient evaporite deposits are thick (100’s–1000’s m).
Cherts are fine-grained siliceous sedimentary rocks consisting of microcrystal-
line (or cryptocrystalline) quartz crystals (. Table 5.4). Cherts are mainly of bi-
ological origin (i.e., the skeletons of microorganisms) or they form due to the re-
placement of existing material (e.g., petrified wood).
Ironstones are deposits with at least 15% iron content. Two main types are
known:
5 Precambrian banded-iron formations
5 Iron ooliths
Carbon-rich organic rocks are of great economic value. Two main forms oc-
cur—coal and oil shale.
. Table 5.4 Classification of of siliceous sediments. (After Stow 2006)
Main types Subtypes Properties and genesis

Bedded chert Radiolarian chert Mostly of marine origin; compris-
ing recrystallized quartz and bio-
Diatomaceous chert
genic residues
Sponge spicule chert
Jasper
Nodular chert Flint Bulbous chert, often in writing
chalk
5 Silcrete Nodular/encrusting chert formed

in certain soils or as surface crusts
Partly-lithified siliceous sedi- Radiolarite Rich in radiolarians
ments
Diatomite Rich in diatoms
Spiculite Rich in sponge spicules
5.6 Selected Sedimentary Rocks
z Conglomerate
Conglomerate (scale 30 cm)

5.6 · Selected Sedimentary Rocks
139 5
Color – variable—dependent on components present
Texture – rounded clasts (>2 mm diameter) in a finer-grained matrix
Structure – structureless or graded/bedded. Both clast- and matrix-supported con-
glomerates can occur
Mineralogy – polymictic (several clast types), monomictic (one clast type)
Occurrence – indicative of high-energy flows (e.g., clast-supported conglomerates
in fluvial environments) or debrites (e.g., matrix-supported conglomerates)
z Breccia
(scale 2.5 cm)
Color – variable—dependent on components present

Texture – angular clasts (>2 mm diameter) in a finer-grained matrix
Structure – structureless or graded/bedded. Both clast- and matrix-supported
breccias possible
Mineralogy – polymictic (several clast types), monomictic (one clast type).
Occurrence – indicative of flows with high energy. Often close to the source area
(lack of clast rounding implies relatively short transport distance)
z Sandstone
Sandstone (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – variable—often red, brown, greenish, yellow, gray, or white

Texture – fine to coarse grained (0.063 to max. 2.0 mm diameter). Fragments are
angular to well rounded and in a fine-grained matrix/cement
Structure – structureless or graded/bedded (possibly with a range of internal
structures)
Mineralogy – quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments
Occurrence – indicative of medium- to higher-energy depositional environments
z Arkose
Arkose (scale 1 cm)

141 5
Color – red, pink
Texture – fine to coarse-grained (max. 2.0 mm diameter). Mainly quartz and
feldspar fragments (25–50%) in matrix/cement. Fragments are angular to well
rounded
structures).
Mineralogy – quartz and feldspar—often a weathering product of granitoids
Occurrence – indicative of medium- to higher-energy depositional environments
z Greywacke
Greywacke (scale 2 cm)
Color – grey, black

Texture – fine to coarse-grained (max. 2.0 mm diameter) fragments in a fine-
grained matrix (up to 15%). Fragments are angular to well rounded
structures, e.g., Bouma sequence)
Mineralogy – quartz, feldspar and rock fragments
Occurrence – indicative of medium- to higher-energy flows (e.g., turbidity flows)
z Siltstone
Siltstone beds in mudstone (scale 16 cm)
Color – variable—black, gray, brown, yellow, white

Texture – fine-grained (0.002–0.063 mm diameter). Quartz and feldspar fragments
in matrix/cement. Grains are angular to well rounded
Structure – structureless or graded/laminated/bedded
Mineralogy – quartz and feldspar
Occurrence – indicative of low-energy environments
z Mudstone
Mudstone (scale 2 cm)

143 5
Color – variable—black, gray, brown, yellow, green, red, white
Texture – very fine grained. Individual grains are not visible
Structure – structureless or laminated
Mineralogy – mainly clay minerals, as well as quartz and feldspar
Occurrence – indicative of flows with very low energy. Mudstones are mixtures of
both fine-grained silts and clays. The degree of silt-richness can be determined by
chewing gently on a small sample (crunchy = silty)
z Limestone
Bioclastic limestone (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – pure limestone is often gray, white, or creamy, impure limestone can be
red, brown, or black
Texture – variable and dependent on fossil content and grain size. Range from
fine-grained (micrite/chalk) to crystalline (sugar-like appearance) to conglomer-
atic or brecciated limestones
structures). Large structures (e.g., reef bodies) are sometimes well developed
Mineralogy – mainly calcite. Other minerals may be present (e.g., quartz—as
grains or in the form of chert)
Occurrence – biochemical rocks comprise the remains of organisms (shells, skele-
tons), carbonate clasts (intraclasts), or other fragments (ooids, peloids). Usually
shallow marine and above the carbonate compensation depth (c. 4200–5000 m).
Often in combination with other limestone types
Varieties
5 Shelly limestone—limestones with high proportions of shells/shell fragments
5 Oolitic limestone—ooids are spherical grains of calcium carbonate (<2 mm in

diameter), which are formed by precipitation in high-energy shallow marine
areas
5 Chalk/micrite—a fine-grained limestone. Chalk is formed from microfossils
(coccoliths) in deep-marine areas. Micrite is a general term for fine-grained
limestone
5 Travertine/Tufa/Dripstone—a fine-grained freshwater limestone, often found
in caves (stalactites—growing from the ceiling, stalagmites—growing from the
floor)
5 z Dolostone (Dolomite)
Dolostone (dolomite) (scale 2.2 cm)
Color – white, creamy, gray

Texture – dolostone is sometimes primary, but usually secondary (i.e., a diagenet-
ically altered limestone). Textures are sometimes like those of the original rock,
but can also be very altered (granular to fine grained)
Structure – structureless to bedded. Internal structures are sometimes present
Mineralogy – mainly dolomite. Sometimes with calcite or quartz/chert
Occurrence – often associated with limestones
145 5
z Chert (Flint)
Flint (scale 1 cm)
Color – gray, black

Texture – fine-grained, with conchoidal fracture
Structure – tuberous, sometimes layered
Mineralogy – microcrystalline quartz
Occurrence – often associated with limestone. Particular types include diatomite
(silica from diatom skeletons) or radiolarite (silica from radiolaria skeletons)
z Peat
Peat (scale 1 cm)

Color – brown, black

Texture – plant remains can be clearly seen
Structure – bedded/layered
Mineralogy – organic material (approx. 60% C), plant remains
Occurrence – marshes/swamps, associated with other sediments
z Anthracite
Anthracite (scale 2 cm)
Color – black, often metallic shiny

Structure – layered (seams)
Mineralogy – carbon (approx. 94%), rare plant remains
Occurrence – very pure form of coal. Often associated with other sedimentary
rocks. Found in continental depositional environment
147 6
Fossils and Paleoecology
Contents
6.1 Fossil Groups – 150

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2_6
148 Chapter 6 · Fossils and Paleoecology
Fossils are the preserved, fossilized remains or traces of animals, plants, and
other organisms. They are mainly found in sedimentary rocks, particularly in
limestones, mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones. Biostratigraphy is an impor-
tant tool for the correlation and relative dating of rock units or successions. Cer-
tain stratigraphic periods are typified by characteristic fossil groups (i.e., index
fossils).
The main controlling mechanisms for the distribution of recent (and fossil) or-
ganisms include:
5 Temperature (affects large-scale distribution, both numbers and diversity)
5 Light (the range of maximum biological productivity is in the upper 10–20 m
of the water column)
5 Oxygen levels
5 Substrate (e.g., mud, sand)
6 5 Salinity
5 Water turbulence
5 Nutrients
5 Climate (e.g., tropical, temperate)
The marine environment, which is of particular importance for organisms, can be

subdivided based on water depth (. Figs. 6.1 and 6.2). Organisms living on the
sea floor are termed benthic, while those living within the water column can be di-
vided into two groups:
5 Planktic (= planktonic), organisms that are non-motile (i.e. drifting in the wa-
ter column) or are weak swimmers, and
5 Nektic (= nektonic), organisms which are strong swimmers.
Neritic organisms live in shallow coastal waters, while pelagic/oceanic faunas in-
habit the surface waters or mid-depths of the open oceans.
. Fig. 6.1 Marine environments, a supralittoral, b littoral, c sublittoral. (After Clarkson 1998)

Chapter 6 · Fossils and Paleoecology
149 6
. Fig. 6.2 Distribution of living organisms according to water depth. (After Benton and Harper
2009)
6.1 Fossil Groups
z Sponges (Porifera)
Sponge Coeloptychium deciminum (Cretaceous)
Period – Cambrian—Recent
Milieu – subaquatic (marine—fresh water, polar—tropical, shallow marine—abys-
sal)
Sponges are nodular to goblet-shaped organisms, sedentary filter-feeders that

pump water through internal channel systems.
z Cnidarians (Cnidaria, class Anthozoa: corals)
Rugose Coral: Hexagonaria hexagona (Middle Devonian)

6.1 · Fossil Groups
151 6
Scleractinian coral: Favia (Recent)
Tabulate coral: Favosites basaltica (Devonian)
Period – Ordovician—Recent
Milieu – marine, shallow (benthic) to greater depths (e.g., rugose corals)
This group comprises a wide range of both solitary and colonial cnidarians,
including jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals. The most important cnidaria fossils
are corals because of their reef-building function, although soft tissue Cnidaria
(without skeletons) are known from the Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran fossils). In
general, coral diversity decreases with increasing water depth. Corals have mas-
sive, external, calcareous skeletons. Four main groups have been identified:
5 Tabulate corals (Order Tabulata)—exclusively colonial corals comprising indi-

vidual cells/corallites (Lower Ordovician—Permian)
5 Rugose corals (Order Rugosa)—solitary and colonial corals (Middle Ordovi-
cian—Upper Permian)
5 Scleractinian corals (Order Scleractinia)—solitary and colonial corals (Middle
Triassic—Recent)
5 Octocorallia (Subclass Octocorallia)—colonial organisms, both soft bodied
and with internal skeletons (? Ediacara—Recent)
z Molluscs (Mollusca)
Milieu – marine, freshwater and terrestrial
6
Gastropod, Murchisonia binodosa (Middle Devonian)

153 6
Ammonite, Perisphinctes sp. (Jurassic)
Belemnite, Belemnitella mucronata (Cretaceous)

Nautilus (Recent)
Pelecypod/Bivalve Mercenaria mercenaria (Pliocene)

155 6
This group contains a broad range of organisms, including: snails, mussels,
oysters, squids, and octopuses among others. Their initial appearance in the Cam-
brian was followed by a marked radiation in the Ordovician. Three main groups
are distinguished:
5 Gastropods (Class Gastropoda)—molluscs, in which the soft body is mostly
covered by an asymmetrical, spirally-coiled shell (Cambrian—Recent).
5 Cephalopods (Class Cephalopoda)—bilaterally symmetrical, with straight,
curved or coiled shells, which are usually external, and that show a variety
of forms. Cephalopods are the largest, most intelligent, and agile of the mol-
luscs (Cambrian—Recent). Within the cephalopods, three groups are of great
stratigraphic importance:
– Nautiloids (Subclass Nautiloidea)—diverse group of small to large cepha-
lopods (Cambrian—Recemt),
– Ammonites (Subclass Ammonoidea)—diverse group of small to large
(adult animals could reach up to 6 m in diameter) cephalopods with exter-
nal shells, which are usually planispiral (Devonian—Cretaceous),
– Belemnites (Order Belemnitida)—bullet-shaped cephalopods with an inter-
nal skeleton (Carboniferous—Cretaceous).
– Pelecypods/Bivalves (Class Pelecypoda)—a morphologically highly di-
verse group with shells where the individual valves are mirror images of
each other (bilaterally symmetrical). Shell forms range from typical bivalves
(where both shells are the same size, and the line of symmetry runs along a
plane between both valves; the individual valves are generally asymmetri-
cal) to large horns (e.g., rudists, which were the most important reef build-
ers in the Upper Cretaceous) and elongated cylindrical tubes (e.g., razor
clams) (Cambrian—Recent).
z Brachiopods (Brachiopoda)
Brachiopod (Articulata), Coenothyris vulgaris (Muschelkalk)

157 6
Brachiopod (Inarticulata), Lingula sp. (Upper Devonian)
Milieu – mainly shallow marine (some with high salt tolerance), some species are
found at depths of up to 6000 m
A diverse group of shelled organisms which are of great stratigraphic importance,

especially in the Paleozoic. The two valves, which are usually of different sizes,
generally have a plane of symmetry through the middle of the valve, and so can
be distinguished from the Pelycypods. There are two main groups:
5 Class Inarticulata—brachiopod group which were especially important in the
Lower Paleozoic (most Families were extinct by the end Devonian),
5 Class Articulata—the most important brachiopod group.
z Echinoderms (Echinodermata)
Sea lily, Encrinus liliformis (Middle Triassic)
Sea urchin, Cidaris vendocinensis (Cretaceous)
Period – ?Neoproterozoic—Recent
Milieu – marine (shallow—abyssal)
159 6
A diverse group in which the individuals generally have a five-sided (pentara-
dial) symmetry. Various classes are identified, including:
5 Sea urchins (Class Echinoidea)—rounded-, pentagonal- or heart-shaped or-
ganisms comprise this subgroup, which is of great stratigraphic importance
(Lower Cambrian—Recent),
5 Sea lilies (Class Crinoidea)—Echinoderms with a conical, spherical, or gob-
let shaped central body, bearing five or more arms. The body may be attached
to a long, columnar stem, or the crinoids may be free swimming (middle Cam-
brian—Recent),
5 Blastoids (Subphylum Blastozoa, Class Blastoidea)—stemmed echinoids, of-
ten stalked and with a conical or spherical body (Silurian—Permian),
5 Cystoids (Subphylum Blastozoa, Class Eocrinoidea)—the oldest arm-bearing
echinoderms, similar in form to crinoids but the main body is more oval in
shape (Cambrian—Silurian),
z Graptolites (Hemichordata)
Graptolites: Didymograpus sp. (Ordovician)
Period – Cambrian—Upper Carboniferous

Milieu – marine
Graptolites are the fossil remains of colonial, planktonic to benthic organisms.

They are of great stratigraphic importance in the Lower Paleozoic.
z Arthropoda
The arthropoda are a large and diverse group that includes insects, crabs,
shrimps, and ostracods.
z Trilobites (Class Trilobita)
Trilobite Dalmanites sp. (Lower Silurian)
Period – Cambrian—Permian
Milieu – shallow marine
Trilobites have a dorsal carapace and their bodies can be subdivided into three
parts: cephalon (head), thorax (trunk), and pygidium (tail). Trilobites are char-
acteristic of the Cambrian (maximum diversity is in the Upper Cambrian), with
their occurrence decreasing noticeably in the Ordovician. They had complex com-
pound eyes, but could also be blind. They are a morphologically diverse group,
reflecting the degree of adaptation to their environment (e.g. changes in salinity,
temperature, sediment type).
161
Supplementary
Information
References – 162

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63082-2
162 References
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ISBN 978-3-662-63081-5 ISBN 978-3-662-63082-2 (eBook)

Responsible Editor: Simon Shah-Rohlfs

5 Sedimentary Rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

6 Fossils and Paleoecology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Supplementary Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021

. Table 1.1 General properties of magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. (After

Plutonic rocks Volcanic rocks Metamorphic Sedimentary

. Fig. 1.2 Rock identification diagram

2.2 Mineral Recognition – 12

2.3 Selected Minerals – 21

© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021

Mineral Percent by volume

Macroscopic determination of minerals in the field is done with simple tools

Minerals in magmatites Minerals in metamorphic rocks

The hardness of a mineral defines its resistance to scratching, and is measured

Minerals with a hardness of 1 feel soapy or greasy. A fingernail has a hardness

z Cleavage and Fracture

. Fig. 2.7 Classification of minerals with non-metallic lusters. (After Markl 2004)

copyrite), or a mineral may have no cleavage (magnetite, garnet). Some minerals

Minerals Gemstone Color

Some minerals have additional properties that can be important in distinguishing

Silver (Photo J. Burrow)

Habit – wire-, hair- or moss-shaped to dendritic aggregates, crystals are rare

Habit – often cubes or octahedra, also blocky, massive or granular aggregates

Habit – often tetrahedral or rhombododecahedral, also granular or botryoidal ag-

Habit – crystals often tetrahedra, also massive or rarely botryoidal aggregates

Habit – often cubes (with striations), pyritohedron and octahedron, or combina-

Halite (Photo J. Burow)

Habit – mainly cubes, sometimes octahedral or intergrown/twinned as tetrakis

z Spinel Group—Spinel, MgAl2O4—Cubic

Habit – often as octahedral crystals, also massive aggregates

Habit – often as octahedral crystals, less commonly dodecahedral, also as granu-

Corundum (Photo R. Schumacher)

Habit – often columnar or flat, tabular, barrel-shaped crystals. Also bipyramidal

Habit – tabular or rhombohedral, sometimes thin plates. Often massive, mammi-

Habit – tabular or pyramidal crystals, including granular or massive aggregates

Habit – acicular/needle-shaped or fibrous radiating crystals, sometimes botryoidal

Habit – often tabular, acicular, or prismatic crystals (rhombohedron, scalenohe-

Habit – banded massive, botryoidal, reniform or fibrous radial aggregates

z Barite (Baryte), BaSO4—Orthorhombic

Barite (with fluorite)

Habit – tabular, sometimes prismatic or fibrous crystals. Also bladed, massive,

z Apatite, Ca5(F, Cl, OH)|(PO4)3—Hexagonal

z Olivine, (Mg, Fe)2SiO4—Orthorhombic

A mineral group with varying compositions, ranging from forsterite (Mg2SiO4)

z Garnet group, X3Y2Si3O12 (X = Ca, Mn, Mg or Fe2+; Y = Al, Cr, or Fe3+)—Cubic

The garnet mineral group comprises the following end members:

Habit – long, slender, bladed crystals, also radial aggregates

Habit – prismatic crystals, sometimes tabular, often twinned (staurolite twins),

z Clinozoisite, Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH) and Epidote, Ca2(Al,Fe)3Si3O12(OH)—Monoclinic

Epidote (scale: 2 cm)

Habit – prismatic crystals, sometimes striated, also massive, fibrous, granular or

Quartz with tourmaline

Habit – prismatic, columnar crystals, often as fibrous, or radiating aggregates

Habit – prismatic, tabular, columnar crystals with a rectangular or octagonal cross

z Hornblende, (Na, K)0–1 (Ca,Na)2(Mg,Fe,Al)5(Si,Al)8O22(OH)2—Monoclinic

z Muscovite, KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2—Monoclinic, Pseudo-Hexagonal

. Table 1.1 General properties of magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. (After

. Fig. 1.2 Rock identification diagram

2.2 Mineral Recognition – 12

2.3 Selected Minerals – 21

. Fig. 2.7 Classification of minerals with non-metallic lusters. (After Markl 2004)

Epidote (scale: 2 cm)

z Leucite, KalSi2O6—Normally Tetragonal (pseudo-cubic); Cubic >625 °C

3.1 Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive

3.3 Volcanic Eruption Types – 67

3.4 Volcanic Deposits – 68

3.5 Structures and Textures of Magmatic Rocks – 72

3.6 Classification of Magmatic Rocks – 74

3.7 Plutonic Rocks – 79

3.8 Volcanic/Subvolcanic Rocks – 87

3.9 Pyroclastic Rocks – 94

3.10 Ultramafic Rocks – 97

3.1 Intrusive Magmatic Rocks—Types of Intrusive Bodies

3.3 Volcanic Eruption Types

Aa lava (Hawaii; scale 30 cm)

Pahoehoe lava (Hawaii; scale 5.5 cm)

Pillow basalts (scale 30 cm)

Consists of round to elliptical structures with a diameter of up to 1 m, which

Basalt columns, Mammoth Lake, USA (scale approx. 2–4 m)

3.5 Structures and Textures of Magmatic Rocks

3.6 Classification of Magmatic Rocks

3 0.063–2 mm Coarse-grained ash Coarse tuff

a Granite (scale 2 cm) b Rapakivi granite

Granodiorite (scale 2 cm)

Hornblende syenite (scale 2 cm)

Monzonite (scale 2 cm)

Nepheline syenite (scale 2 cm)

Diorite (scale 2 cm)

Gabbro (scale 2 cm)

Rhyolite (scale 2 cm)

Trachyte (scale 2.2 cm)