UNIT III:

PETROLOGY
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

✓Identify igneous rocks and the steps of the rock cycle related to
their formation.
✓Identify sedimentary rocks and the steps of the rock cycle related to
their formation.
✓Identify metamorphic rocks and the steps of the rock cycle related
to their formation.
✓Familiarize with the uses of rocks like Igneous rocks, sedimentary
rocks and metamorphic rocks to construction industry.
TOPICS:
❑ Rock Forming Minerals,
❑ Rock Cycle Diagram,
❑ Igneous Rocks,
❑ Uses of Igneous Rocks,
❑ Sedimentary Rocks,
❑ Uses of Sedimentary Rocks,
❑ Metamorphic Rocks and
❑ Uses of metamorphic rocks.
What is Petrology?

Petrology means “ STUDY of ROCKS” . It

comes from the word Petro meaning
“rock” and logy meaning “study”.
Petrology is the branch of geology that
deals with the various aspects of rocks
such as origin, association, occurrence,
mineral composition, chemical
composition, texture, structure. And
physical properties of rocks.
What is rock?

Rock or stone is a
natural substance, a
solid aggregate of one or
more minerals combined
together in an orderly
manner.
ROCK FORMING MINERALS

❑Rocks are assemblies of minerals; it is formed by various

minerals or rock fragments come together or consists of a
large number of accumulations of a single mineral.

❑It is found in the majority of 8 element minerals as rock

builder, representing more than 98% of the weight of the
continental crust.
❑ The rocks that make up the Earth's crust are the various minerals
or single minerals, rock fragments, or both mineral and rock
fragments.

❑ For example, Magmatic rocks such as granite, gabbro, syenite

are formed by minerals; marble, quartzite are formed by a single
mineral; various types of sandstones and conglomerates are
formed by rocks and mineral
ROCK CYCLE DIAGRAM

❑It shows the diagram of the formation cycle of different types of

rock and processes associated with them.

❑Rocks are broadly classified into three groups: igneous,

sedimentary and metamorphic, and the simplest diagram of the
"rock cycle" puts these three groups in a circle with arrows
pointing from "igneous" to "sedimentary," from "sedimentary" to
"metamorphic," and from "metamorphic" to "igneous" again.
ROCK CYCLE DIAGRAM

https://youtu.be/BgJ74KKZyD4
ROCK CYCLE DIAGRAM
IGNEOUS ROCKS

❑Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma – molten

materials in the earth’s crust.
❑ Directly or indirectly, all types of rocks are derived from
the igneous type.
❑For instance, igneous rocks after being subjected to
extremely high-pressure result in metamorphic rocks.
MODE OF FORMATION:

MAGMA - is the parent material of igneous rocks. It is a complex

high temperature solution which is liquid or molten rock present at
considerable depth within the earth.
Magma is made up of:
- silicates with some oxides
- sulphides
- some steam (water)
- other gases held in solution by pressure.
LAVA - is the magma that has reached the earth’s surface through
cracks and fissures.

HOW MAGMA GENERATES?

❑ Magma is generated where the requisite pressure and
temperature conditions for rock melting are reached.
(high temperatures ranging from 500° C to 12000° C)
a. formed in the earth’s mantle,
b. other magmas have formed when the rocks of the lower
part of the crust melted (subduction zones)
❑ apparently consisted of mixtures from the mantle and the crust.
 TWO TYPES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

1. INTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS

❑formed when the magma cools off slowly under the earth’s crust
and hardens into rocks.

❑very hard in nature and are often coarse-grained.

Ex. Gabbro and granite

GABBRO GRANITE
2. EXTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS

❑formed when molten magma spill over to the

surface as a result of volcanic eruption.

❑- magma on the surface (lava) cools faster on the

surface to form igneous rocks that are fine
grained.
Ex. pumice, basalt, or obsidian
 TEXTURES AND STRUCTURES
WHAT DETERMINES IGNEOUS ROCK TEXTURE?
Factors:
❑-the diffusion rate, which is how atoms and molecules move through
the liquid.
❑- cooling process
a. Faster solidification, the finer will be its texture.
b. Longer solidification, more coarse-grained texture it will have.

Igneous textures are used by geologists in determining the mode of

origin igneous rocks and are used in rock classification.
MAIN TYPES OF TEXTURE
1. APHANITIC TEXTURE
•Aphanitic texture consists of small crystals
that cannot be seen by the eye with or hand
lens. The entire rock is made up of small
crystals, which are generally less than 1/2
mm in size. This texture results from rapid
cooling in volcanic or hypabyssal (shallow
subsurface) environments.
2. GLASSY

If a rock looks like a block of (colored)

glass, with no visible mineral crystals, it
has a glassy texture. Superficially, a
glassy texture suggests cooling that was
so extremely fast that no crystals could
form. However, composition is also vitally
important
3. PHANERITHIC

Phaneritic textured rocks are comprised of

large crystals that are clearly visible to the
eye with or without a hand lens or binocular
microscope. The entire rock is made up of
large crystals, which are generally 1/2 mm
to several centimeters in size; no fine
matrix material is present.
4. PEGMATITIC

This type of texture is formed

when magma cools and some
minerals increase in size
extensively. The sizes may
range from some centimeters to
quite a number of meters.
5. PORPHYRITHIC

The porphyritic texture can also form

when magma is crystallized under a
volcano but eruption occurs before the
crystallization is complete. As a result, the
lava formed crystallizes much faster with
smaller-sized crystals
6. PYROCLASTIC

A pyroclastic texture shows a mixture of

rock fragments, pumice, and volcanic ash.
The ash is very fine grained, so only the
rock fragments and pumice are
identifiable.
Also occur when explosive eruptions blast
the lava into the air resulting in fragmental,
typically glassy material which fall as
volcanic ash, lapilli and volcanic bombs.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

Structures of Igneous Rocks are the features that are

of large scale and are developed in extrusive or
intrusive igneous body. They may be recognized
a. easily on visual inspection or
b. microscopic (thin section)
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

a. FLOW STRUCTURE
parallel or sub parallel bands or
streaks which are caused by the
flow of magma or lava during
cooling and crystallization.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
b. PILLOW STRUCTURE
This is characterized by the development of
bulbous, overlapping, pillow like structure in
the body of igneous mass.
•It is typical structure of rock formed from
mobile basaltic lava.
•In such a lava flow its upper surface gets
solidify while the lava beneath remains hot
and capable of moving.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
c. ROCKY AND ROPY LAVA
These are structural variation developed in the
volcanic rocks due to different mobility. Highly
viscous “dry” lava undergoes very little
movement after their eruption and before
cooling.
1.Blocky lava - surface show broken and
fragmented appearance.
2.Ropy lava - very mobile lava flow, upper
surface is smooth wrinkled rather than that
actually broken.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
d. VESICULAR STRUCTURE
Vesicles – gas cavities formed during
cooling because of the presence of gas and
volatiles escaping into the atmosphere

❑the volcanic rock contains vesicles is said

to have a “vesicular structure”.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

e. AMYGDALOIDAL STRUCTURE

❑ Form when vesicles of volcanic rocks are

filled with secondary minerals such as
calcite and zeolites during cooling.

❑ This rock is said to have an “amygdaloidal

structure”.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
f. PEGMATITIC STRUCTURE

❑ the rock is said to have a “pegmatitic

structure when constituent mineral grains
exceed several centimeters in size,

❑ Rock produced are courser and very

irregular type of crystallization.
 STRUCTURES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
g. XENOLITHIC STRUCTURE

❑ entrapped fragments of foreign rocks

are called the ‘xenoliths’ and the
structure is called the “Xenolith
structure”.

❑ It produces heterogeneity in the

texture
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

Igneous rocks are basically used in flooring, landscaping and

construction projects.
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

DIORITE
❑ this dark-colored, sturdy rock was used
for inscription, statues and for carving
works.
❑ In modern days, the application of
diorite is restricted to flooring and
landscaping works. 5
❑ serves as a highly durable stone slab for
landscaping. (due to its hardness)
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

GRANITE
❑ popular (polished granite) in flooring
and wall tiles.
❑ large-sized granite dimension stones
are used in decorative monuments,
bridges and commercial buildings.
❑ granite is one of the most frequently
used building materials.
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

PUMICE

❑This volcanic rock is popularly used in

household products (scouring
stones), cosmetics (exfoliants), and
construction works (used in place of
cement for making concrete
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

OBSIDIAN
❑ This volcanic glass is used in making
scalpel blades, ornamental stones and
decorative specimens.
❑ Of all the igneous rock types, basalt and
granite are found abundantly in the
earth’s crust.
❑ In fact, basalt is the most commonly
occurring solid form of lava.
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

RHYOLITE
❑ In addition, rhyolite can be used
as an abrasive and scouring
stone.
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

BASALT

❑This igneous rock type is identified by its

dark shade and fine-grained texture.
❑It is used as flooring, cobblestone,
countertops and in construction projects.
❑And also, you will find crushed basalt
rocks in railroad track ballast.
 USES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

GABBRO
❑mineral composition of gabbro is similar
to that of basalt. They differ in texture;
gabbro is a coarse-grained igneous rock,
while basalt is a fine-grained type.

❑After polishing, it is used for making work

surface, floor tiles, facing stone and
cemetery markers.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

Deposits formed by weathering may become compacted by

overburden pressure and cemented by agents like iron
oxide, calcite, dolomite and quartz.
These are types of rock that are formed by the
accumulation or deposition of small particles and
subsequent cementation of mineral or organic particles on
the floor of oceans or other bodies of water at the Earth's
surface.
WEATHERING

It is the process of breaking down

rocks by mechanical and chemical
processes into smaller pieces.
 TWO TYPES OF WEATHERING

1. MECHANICAL WEATHERING

❑caused by expansion and contraction of rocks from the

continous gain and loss of heat
❑water seeps into the pores and existing rocks cracks in
rocks
❑glacier ice, wind, running water in streams and ocean
waves can affect in the disintegration of rocks
TWO TYPES OF WEATHERING
 TWO TYPES OF WEATHERING

2. CHEMICAL WEATHERING

❑original rock minerals are transformed into new minerals by

chemical reaction
❑water and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will react with the
existing rock minerals that will form new minerals or soluble salts.
❑soluble salts present in groundwater and organic acids formed
from decayed organic matter also cause chemical weathering
TWO TYPES OF WEATHERING
 TRANSPORTATION OF WEATHERING PRODUCTS

Products of weathering may stay in the same place or may be moved

to other places by ice, water, wind and gravity
Soils formed by weathered products at their place of origin are called
“residual soils”
 CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORTED SOILS

❑Glacial Soils -Formed by transportation and deposition of

glaciers
❑Alluvial soils – transported by running water and deposited
along the stream
❑Lacustrine soils – formed by deposition of quiet lakes
❑Marine Soils – formed by deposition in the sea
❑Aeolian Soils – transported and deposited by wind
❑Colluvial Soils – formed by movement of soil from its original
place by gravity, such as during landslides
CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORTED SOILS
CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORTED SOILS
CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORTED SOILS
CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORTED SOILS
 TWO TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

1. DETRITAL SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

❑ These are composed of rock fragments that have been
weathered from pre-existing rocks. They are the most
common rocks on the surface of the earth.

❑ These grains of sediments are what get cemented

together to form sedimentary rocks.
TWO TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

DETRITAL SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

 TWO TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

2. CHEMICAL SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

❑ Forms when mineral constituents in solution become

supersaturated and inorganically precipitate.
❑ Common chemical sedimentary rocks include oolites
limestone and rocks composed of evaporite minerals,
such as halite (rock salt), sylvite, baryte and gypsum.
TWO TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

1. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

a. SANDSTONE
❑Sandstone, which is easy to work with, has been broadly utilized in
the construction of buildings specifically in areas where large
quantity of sandstone is available.
❑For example, The Cliffe Castle Museum in England is composed
completely of sandstone. In addition to Red Fort building stone in
India. Marble is also used mainly in building construction.
❑Famous marble buildings are Taj Mahal in India, the leaning tower
of Pisa in Italy, the Parthenon in Greece

b. LIMESTONE
Limestone has been used in several important building constructions
for instance monuments.
2. STRUCTURAL WALL CONSTRUCTION

Both sandstone and limestone are suitable for the

construction of structural walls. Nonetheless, sandstone shall
be considered carefully because it might be excessively
porous and fragile for load bearing structures.
3. CEMENT PRODUCTION

❑Limestone is the main source material for the production of

Portland cement.
❑Shale is used as a component in cement production
4. PAVEMENT AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION

❑ Sandstone and limestone have been used for the construction

of pavement stone and road stone.

❑ Shale is used as aggregate in road construction

❑ Sedimentary rocks are used in highway roadbed.

5. TUNNELING

Sandstone is suitable type of rock for tunneling especially

thick bedded, well cemented, and siliceous or ferruginous
sandstone
Tunneling is easily progressed in shale formation due to
its softness, but proper lining shall be provided
6. BRICK AND TILE MANUFACTURING

Shale is used as one component of materials used in the

construction of bricks and tiles.
7. ARCHITECTURAL AND MONUMENTAL STONES

❑ There are certain types of sedimentary rock that can be used as

an architectural and monumental stone for example Portland stone
(a white -grey limestone).

❑ It can withstand weathering affects adequately. More importantly,

Portland stone can be cut and craved comfortably by masons
which is crucial advantage. That is why it is one of the most
favored architectural and monumental stone.
7. ARCHITECTURAL AND MONUMENTAL STONES

❑ Portland stone has been used in the construction of St. Paul’s

Cathedral,

❑ Buckingham Palace, Westminster palace, British Museum, the

Bank of England
8. BUILDING INTERIOR AND FAÇADE DECORATION

❑Marble is recrystallized and then used for decoration of building

interior. It is also used for statues, table surfaces and novelties.

❑Portland stone can be used for the construction of facades of

reinforced concrete buildings.

❑Conglomerate used in decoration

9. OTHERS

Sedimentary rocks are used in the construction of earthen

dam, railroad ballast, canals, and as a rock fill.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS

❑rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock types,

in a process called metamorphism, which means
"change in form".

❑form when rocks are subjected to high heat, high

pressure, hot mineral-rich fluids or, more commonly, some
combination of these factors.
METAMORPHISM

the process of changing the composition and texture

of rocks without melting.