IGNEOUS ROCKS

Rocks
Rocks are aggregates of one or more minerals

Rocks are classified on the basis of how they form

There are 3 major classes of rocks: Igneous rocks Sedimentary rocks Metamorphic rocks

Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks form by crystallization of molten rock material Molten rock material below Earths surface is called magma Molten rock material erupted above Earths surface is called lava The name changes because the composition of the molten material changes as it is erupted due to escape of volatile gases

Effect of Cooling Rate on Crystal Size

Crystals are formed by ions arranged in orderly patterns Crystal size is determined by the rate of cooling Extremely fast cooling
Forms glass, not crystals

Occurs above Earths surface under water or ice Yields obsidian, volcanic glass

Fast cooling
Forms very small invisible crystals

Occurs above Earths surface Typical of lavas and pyroclastic volcanic rocks

Slow cooling
Forms large, visible crystals

The slower the cooling rate, the larger the crystals formed Occurs below Earths surface Typical of plutonic rocks

Classification and Naming of Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks are classified and named on the basis of Where they form Their texture Their composition

Classification of Igneous Rocks Based on Where They Form

Plutonic (intrusive) Igneous Rocks Form by crystallization of molten rock material below Earths surface Coarse-grained plutonic rocks Crystallized out very slowly in large magma chambers 12-20 km beneath Earths surface Fine-grained plutonic rocks Crystallized out less slowly, more rapidly, in small intrusions and conduits closer to Earths surface

Classification of Igneous Rocks Based on Where They Form

Volcanic (Extrusive) Igneous Rocks Form by crystallization of molten rock material above Earths surface Lavas flow out, are extruded Pyroclastic volcanic rocks are blasted out Ash is very fine-grained pryoclastic material Blocks are large solid blocks that are blasted out Bombs are large molten blobs that are blasted out

PLUTONIC IGNEOUS TEXTURE

A plutonic igneous texture is phaneritic
A phaneritic texture Consists of visible grains Is formed by very slow cooling below Earths surface Characteristic of gabbro, diabase, diorite, granite

VOLCANIC IGNEOUS TEXTURES

Glassy texture
Is not crystalline, is formed by extremely rapid cooling Characteristic of Obsidian

Aphanitic texture
Consists of invisible grains formed by fast rate of cooling Characteristic of the lavas: basalt, andesite, rhyolite

VOLCANIC IGNEOUS TEXTURES

Vesicular texture Is bubbly, formed by trapped bubbles of gas Characteristic of scoria (vesicular basalt) and pumice (vesicular rhyolite) Porphyritic texture Consists of phaneritic (visible) grains in an aphanitic matrix Phaneritic crystals form by very slow cooling below Earths surface Aphanitic crystals form by very rapid cooling above Earths surface Characteristic of the lavas: basalt, andesite, rhyolite Formed when a lava is erupted as a crystal mush

Rock Compositions
Ultramafic Means rich in magnesium and iron Is the average composition of Earths mantle Composed of olivine and augite Example: peridotite Mafic Means rich in magnesium, iron, and/or calcium Is the average composition of oceanic crust Composed of olivine, augite, and calcium plagioclase feldspar Examples: basalt, diabase, and gabbro

Compositions of Igneous Rocks

Felsic Means rich in feldspar and silica Is the average composition of continental crust Composed of potassium feldspar, sodium plagioclase feldspar, quartz Examples: rhyolite and granite

Intermediate Means half mafic, half felsic Is the composition of a mixture of oceanic and continental crust Composed of hornblende and calcium-sodium plagioclase feldspar Examples: andesite and diorite

Basalt, a mafic composition lava

A lava fountain and rapidly flowing basalt

Pahoehoe, a

AA, a jagged-surfaced form of basalt that crystallizes out at the end of a basalt flow

smooth-surfaced, ropy form of basalt that crystallizes out near the beginning of a basalt flow

Andesite, an intermediate composition lava

Andesite flow, Mexico

Andesite flow, Cascade Range, Oregon

Rhyolite, a felsic composition lava

Rhyolite dome, Mono Craters, California

Rhyolite flow showing columnar jointing, MacDougalls Island, New Brunswick

Pyroclastic Eruption Eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington, 1980

Other Notable Pryoclastic Volcanic Eruptions

Identification of Volcanic Igneous Rocks

Volcanic Rocks
Vesicular texture Glassy texture

Scoria
Mafic composition
Dark gray

Obsidian
Aphanitic matrix

Pumice
Felsic composition
Light gray

The lavas

Basalt
Mafic composition Dark gray

Andesite
Intermediate composition Medium gray or greenish gray Usually porphyritic

Rhyolite
Felsic composition Light gray or pink

Obsidian (volcanic glass)

Scoria (vesicular basalt)

Pumice (vesicular rhyolite)

Basalt

Porphyritic Andesite

Rhyolite

Identification of Plutonic Igneous Rocks

Plutonic Rocks
Phaneritic texture

Mafic composition Dark gray

Intermediate composition Medium gray, ~ 50:50 black and white

Felsic composition Light gray or pink

Diabase
(fine-grained)

Diorite

Granite

Gabbro
(coarse-grained)

Gabbro

Diorite

Granite

How does magma form? Magma forms in response to:

1. Decrease in pressure (decompression) as hot rock rises closer to Earths surface

2. Coming in contact with magma rising from the mantle

3. Addition of volatiles, e.g. H2O, CO2

The Geothermal Gradient

The geothermal gradient is the rate of change in temperature with depth below Earths surface

Magma Formation due to Decompression

High pressure at great depth prevents melting Pressure decreases with decreasing depth

Becomes fully melted at depth C

Begins melting at depth B

Hot rock rising from depth A

Magma Formation due to Contact with Rising Magma

Magma Formation due to contact with volatiles

Where do magmas form?

Magmas form Where crustal plates are rifting apart Where oceanic crust is being subducted Above mantle plume hot spots

Where Magmas Form

Riftings

Subduction zones

Hot spots