Basic Petrography

In this module the index entries below enable direct access to the topics shown. The entries are derived from menu topics, page titles, key words and any glossary items. The amount and type of information available in the courseware for topics is variable; in some cases is just a simple definition, in others is an extended description, an explanation, or task.

Section:--: Index Entry
Introduction :--: Introduction
Describing a rock :--: Experts approach
Describing a rock :--: Choosing the specimen
Describing a rock :--: Overall colour
Describing a rock :--: Grain size
Describing a rock :--: Grain shape
Describing a rock :--: Mineral proportions
Describing a rock :--: Rock textures
Describing a rock :--: Using a handlens
Describing a rock :--: Petrological microscope
Rock forming minerals :--: Quartz
Rock forming minerals :--: Chlorite
Rock forming minerals :--: Plagioclase
Rock forming minerals :--: Epidote
Rock forming minerals :--: Orthopyroxene
Rock forming minerals :--: Staurolite
Rock forming minerals :--: Muscovite
Rock forming minerals :--: Calcite
Rock forming minerals :--: Kyanite
Rock forming minerals :--: Nepheline
Rock forming minerals :--: Olivine
Rock forming minerals :--: Garnet
Rock forming minerals :--: Alkali feldspar
Rock forming minerals :--: Cordierite
Rock forming minerals :--: Clinopyroxene
Rock forming minerals :--: Hornblende
Rock forming minerals :--: Biotite
Rock forming minerals :--: Andalusite
Rock forming minerals :--: Sillimanite
Rock forming minerals :--: Glaucophane
Rock forming minerals :--: Feldspars
Rock forming minerals :--: Micas
Rock forming minerals :--: Felsics
Rock forming minerals :--: Pyroxenes
Rock forming minerals :--: Amphiboles
Rock forming minerals :--: Mafics
Igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary? :--: Start
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Start
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Grain size
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Grain shape
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Colour index
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Mineral content
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Silica saturation
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Non-glassy textures
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Glassy textures
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Equilibrium textures
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Intergrowth textures
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Flowbanding
Igneous rocks: characteristics :--: Inclusions
Igneous rocks: classification :--: Start
Igneous rocks: classification :--: Acid Basic Intermediate
Igneous rocks: classification :--: Volcanic hypabyssal plutonic
Igneous rocks: classification :--: Feldspars in classification
Igneous rocks: classification :--: Simple classification scheme
Coarse-grained igneous :--: Granite
Coarse-grained igneous :--: Granodiorite
Coarse-grained igneous :--: Syenite
Coarse-grained igneous :--: Diorite
Coarse-grained igneous :--: Gabbro
Medium-grained igneous :--: Microgranite
Medium-grained igneous :--: Microgranodiorite
Medium-grained igneous :--: Microsyenite
Medium-grained igneous :--: Microdiorite
Medium-grained igneous :--: Dolerite
Fine-grained igneous :--: Rhyolite
Fine-grained igneous :--: Dacite
Fine-grained igneous :--: Trachyte
Fine-grained igneous :--: Andesite
Fine-grained igneous :--: Basalt
Ultramafic rocks :--: Dunite
Ultramafic rocks :--: Peridotite
Ultramafic rocks :--: Pyroxenite
Ultramafic rocks :--: Hornblendite
IUGC classification :--: IUGC classification
IUGC classification :--: Use of triangular diagrams
IUGC classification :--: Strekeisen diagram
IUGC classification :--: Common igneous rock fields
IUGC classification :--: Ultramafic rocks
IUGC classification :--: Field classification
Introduction to metamorphism :--: What is metamorphism?
Introduction to metamorphism :--: Temperature effects
Introduction to metamorphism :--: Pressure effects
Introduction to metamorphism :--: Stress & strain
Introduction to metamorphism :--: Bounds of metamorphism
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Introduction
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Mineral content
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Aluminosilicate polymorphs
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Grain size
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Grain shape
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Fabric, structure & texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Mineral alignment
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Lineation
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Foliation - planar
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Foliation - folded
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Cleavage
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Spaced cleavage
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Slaty cleavage
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Schistosity
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Gneissose structures
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Textures
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Relict textures- igneous origin
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Relict textures - sedimentary origin
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Relict textures - metamorphic origin
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Granoblastic - polygonal texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Crenulation texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Decussate texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Porphyroblastic texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Poikiloblastic texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Porphyroclastic texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Mylonitic texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Augen texture
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Prograde/retrograde metamorphism
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Grade - metamorphic
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Zone - metamorphic
Concepts in metamorphism :--: Facies - metamorphic
Metamorphic rocks: classification :--: Introduction
Metamorphic rocks: classification :--: Chemical classification
Metamorphic rocks: classification :--: Structural classification
Metamorphic rocks: classification :--: Worked example
Metamorphic rocks: classification :--: Determining precursor material
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Thermal or contact metamorphism?
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Regional metamorphism
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Dynamic metamorphism
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Burial metamorphism
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Hydrothermal metamorphism
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Impact metamorphism
Metamorphic rocks: overview :--: Separating metamorphic types
Thermal metamorphism :--: Introduction
Thermal metamorphism :--: Heat transfer
Thermal metamorphism :--: Chilled margin
Thermal metamorphism :--: Baked margin
Thermal metamorphism :--: Effects of baking
Thermal metamorphism :--: Metamorphic aureole
Thermal metamorphism :--: Hornfelses
Thermal metamorphism :--: Effect of baking on pelites
Thermal metamorphism :--: Spotted slates
Thermal metamorphism :--: Baking rocks of mixed composition
Thermal metamorphism :--: Effect of baking on carbonates
Thermal metamorphism :--: Marbles from pure limestones
Thermal metamorphism :--: Marbles from impure limestones
Thermal metamorphism :--: Skiddaw Granite aureole
Regional metamorphism :--: Introduction
Regional metamorphism :--: Mineralogical changes
Regional metamorphism :--: Metamorphism of pelites
Regional metamorphism :--: Barrowvian Zones
Regional metamorphism :--: Petrogenetic grid
Regional metamorphism :--: Temperature & pressure effects
Regional metamorphism :--: Geothermal gradients
Regional metamorphism :--: Summary - Petrogenetic grid
Regional metamorphism :--: Mineral assemblages & grade
Regional metamorphism :--: Facies concept
Regional metamorphism :--: Migmatites & banded gneisses
Regional metamorphism :--: Regional metamorphic rocks
Regional metamorphism :--: Amphibolite
Regional metamorphism :--: Blue schist
Regional metamorphism :--: Eclogite
Regional metamorphism :--: Gneiss
Regional metamorphism :--: Granulite
Regional metamorphism :--: Greenschist
Regional metamorphism :--: Marble
Regional metamorphism :--: Phyllite
Regional metamorphism :--: Quartzite
Regional metamorphism :--: Schist
Regional metamorphism :--: Slate
Dynamic metamorphism :--: Introduction
Dynamic metamorphism :--: Fault breccia
Dynamic metamorphism :--: Shear Zone
Dynamic metamorphism :--: Deformation types
Dynamic metamorphism :--: Cataclasites
Dynamic metamorphism :--: Mylonites
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Introduction
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Grain size
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Grain shape
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Sorting
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Porosity
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Permeability
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Fabrics
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Cementation
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Maturity
Sedimentary rocks: characteristics :--: Limestones
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Introduction
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Sediment composition
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Clastic rocks
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Siliciclastic rocks
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Grain size
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Rudaceous classification
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Conglomerate
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Breccia
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Diamictite
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Arenaceous classification
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Arenites
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Wackes
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Lutite classification
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Allochem & precipitate rocks
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Carbonate rocks
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Precipitate rocks
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Cherts
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Evaporites
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Phosphates
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Ironstones
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Residuals
Sedimentary rocks: classification :--: Carbonaceous deposits
Folk classification scheme :--: Folk classification for limestones
Folk classification scheme :--: Folk classification - worked example


Other Indexes Available

| Arc Magmatism | Aspects of Earth Resources | Basic Geochemistry | Basic Skills for Earth Sciences | Crystallography | Dynamic Stratigraphy: Controls and Products | Exploring the Shallow Subsurface using Geophysics | Field Safety for Geologists | Fossils as Palaeoenvironmental Indicators | Geological Map Skills | Ocean Crust and Ophiolites | Optical Mineralogy | Petrogenesis of Granitic Rocks | Phase Diagrams in Igneous Systems | Radiogenic Isotopes in Geological Sciences | Rock Deformation and Geological Structures | Systematic Palaeontology: the Phylum Mollusca | Using the Compass/Clinometer | Using Stereonets in Geology | Visualising Geology in 3D |