Microstructures
of Igneous Rocks
ROCK DEFORMATION &
MICROSTRUCTURES
SAHANA S.H
2202065
TYBSc Geology
Agenda
Introduction
Microstructures in Igneous Rocks
Types of Microstructures in Igneous Rocks
Conclusion
References
INTRODUCTION
Microstructures refer to the shapes, arrangements, and
relationships of crystals and aggregates formed in rocks. They
are formed by processes such as crystallization, melting, and
phase transitions in magmatic systems.
Igneous microstructures include grain shapes, mineral
intergrowths, and textural features that develop during
crystallization and cooling.
Common type of microstructures are Microcracks, Reaction
rims, Zoning etc.
Triple Junction in Quartz
Microstructures in Igneous Rocks
I. Bronzite Peridotite: Is an ultramafic plutonic igneous rock
primarily composed of olivine and bronzite (orthopyroxene).
Olivine: Exhibits high relief under plane-polarized light. Displays
third-order interference colors in cross-polarized light. Shows high
birefringence due to its anisotropic nature.
Microstructure: Olivine has microcracks and is altered to serpentine
Peridotite in PPL
along these cracks.
Bronzite: Shows pleochroism, varying from colorless to brown. Has
high relief under plane-polarized light. Displays second-order
interference colors in cross-polarized light. Undergoes straight
extinction
Microstructure: It Displays Exsolution lamellaes.
Peridotite in BxP
2010 J.M. Derochette
Dunite in ppl
II. Dunite: It is an Monomineralic - Ultrabasic
Igneous Rock, essentially composed of Olivine,
and might have few accessory minerals like
Pyroxenes.
Olivine: Exhibits high relief under plane-
polarized light. Displays third-order interference
colors in cross-polarized light. Shows high
Dunite in BxP
birefringence due to its anisotropic nature.
Microstructure: Olivine has microcracks and here
it maybe altered to serpentine along these
cracks.
And have Opaque mineral inclusions.
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III. Troctolite: Is a mafic Igneous rock, primarily
composed of Olivine and Plagioclase with minor amounts
of pyroxene.
Olivine: Exhibits high relief under plane-polarized light.
Displays third-order interference colors in cross-polarized
light. Shows high birefringence due to its anisotropic
nature.
Microstructure: Olivine has microcracks.
Plagioclase Feldspar: Lath Shaped mineral grain, is
Colourless with Low relief in PPL. Shows Grey of 1st order
and lamellar twinning in Bxp.
Microstructures: Growth Twins (Lamellar twinning)
Reaction Rims is alsp type of microstructure seen in thin
section of Troctolite rock sample. Where in Olivine is
rimmed by intergrowth of Pyroxene and plagioclase.
III. Troctolite: Is a mafic Igneous rock, primarily
composed of Olivine and Plagioclase with minor amounts
of pyroxene.
Olivine: Exhibits high relief under plane-polarized light.
Displays third-order interference colors in cross-polarized
light. Shows high birefringence due to its anisotropic
nature. Olivine
Reaction Rim
Microstructure: Olivine has microcracks.
Plagioclase Feldspar: Lath Shaped mineral grain, is
Colourless with Low relief in PPL. Shows Grey of 1st order
and lamellar twinning in Bxp. Plagioclase
Microstructures: Growth Twins (Lamellar twinning)
Reaction Rims is alsp type of microstructure seen in thin
section of Troctolite rock sample. Where in Olivine is
rimmed by intergrowth of Pyroxene and plagioclase.
IV Porphyritic Granite: is a Porphyritic felsic-igneous
rock characterized by large feldspar phenocrysts in a fine-
grained groundmass.
Phenocrysts are of Large feldspar (K-feldspar and
plagioclase) and quartz crystals embedded in a finer-
grained matrix.
Groundmass is composed of smaller quartz, feldspar,
and accessory minerals like biotite, hornblende, and
opaques.
Microstructres: Undulose extinction in Quartz
Deformation twins & Kink bands in feldspar.
Microcracks and subgrains microstructures are also seen.
These Microstructures indicate that the rock has undergone
Ductile Deformation.
IV Porphyritic Granite: is a Porphyritic felsic-igneous
rock characterized by large feldspar phenocrysts in a fine-
grained groundmass.
Phenocrysts are of Large feldspar (K-feldspar and
plagioclase) and quartz crystals embedded in a finer-
grained matrix.
Groundmass is composed of smaller quartz, feldspar,
and accessory minerals like biotite, hornblende, and
opaques.
Microstructres: Undulose extinction in Quartz
Deformation twins & Kink bands in feldspar.
Microcracks and subgrains microstructures are also seen.
These Microstructures indicate that the rock has undergone
Ductile Deformation.
V. Komatiite: Is an Ultramafic Volcanic rock. It
crystallizes at high temperature. They form pillows and
have chilled flow tops and display well-developed spinifex
textures with intergrown skeletal and bladed olivine and
pyroxene cystals with abundant glass.
Olivine: Exhibits high relief under plane-polarized light.
Displays third-order interference colors in cross-polarized
Credits: (Vernon, 2004)
light. Shows high birefringence due to its anisotropic
nature.
Microstructures: Skeletal phenocrysts. In PPL
Pyroxene: Show high relief, undergo pleochroism from
colourless to pale green in PPL. And show 2nd order
Interference Colour and undergo
Straight(opx)/Oblique(cpx) extinction.
Microstructure: Radiating dendritic, fern like crystals.
In BxP
Credits: (Vernon, 2004)
Skeletal phenocrysts of olivine aligned by magmatic flow, in a groundmass of spiky, fern-like,
dendritic crystals of pyroxene, in ultramafic volcanic rock komatiite.
Conclusion
Microstructures in igneous rocks help identify mineral composition and rock formation history.
Features like microcracks, reaction rims, zoning, and exsolution lamellae provide key textural
information.
Different igneous rocks, such as peridotite, dunite, troctolite, porphyritic granite, and komatiite,
exhibit distinct microstructures.
Observing these microstructures under a microscope helps in understanding mineral interactions
and rock deformation.
This study enhances our ability to classify and interpret igneous rocks in geological research.
References
(n.d.). Retrieved from [Link]
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(n.d.). Retrieved from [Link]: [Link]
(n.d.). Retrieved from [Link]: [Link]
Vale, L. (n.d.). Alex Strekeisen. [Link].
[Link]
is%20a%20peridotite.
Vernon, R. H. (2004). A Practical Guide to Rock Microstructures. New York: Cambridge University Press.
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