Classificatio
n of Rocks
Rocks can be classified based on their differences in texture
and composition. Texture refers to the size, shape, and
arrangement of mineral grains and other constituents in a rock.
These factors are controlled by the processes that formed the rock.
Thus, a rock’s texture could provide information about the
environment where the rock was formed. Because igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic processes are distinct, their
resulting textures are also distinct.
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are either crystalline when they form from cooled magma or lava, or
pyroclastic, when they are made of consolidated eruption products like volcanic ash.
1. Crystalline textures differ depending on how fast and where the cooling
took place.
a. Intrusive or plutonic rocks that form from slowly cooled magma have time to
form large mineral crystals that are visible without the aid of magnifying lens
(texture is called phaneritic from gk. phaneros meaning “visible”)
In cases when minerals crystallize very slowly at depth, a pegmatitic texture is one
composed of very large crystals (larger than 2 to 3 cm).
Color can be used as indicator of
the composition of a rock or
mineral (color index).
- Felsic composition (light
colors), white, light gray, tan,
and pink., rich in silica (SO2)
-Mafic composition (dark
colors), black and brown., rich in
iron and magnesium
-Intermediate composition
(intermediate color), gray or
consisting of equal parts of dark
and light mineral.
*some rocks do not follow color
index
Examples of Igneous Rocks
(Intrusive)
b. Extrusive or volcanic rocks that form from rapidly cooled magma usually exhibit
aphanitic textures, from the Greek aphaneros which means “not visible”. Thus, the mineral
crystals of aphanitic rocks cannot be distinguished without the use of magnifying lens. A
special volcanic texture is displayed by rock when mineral crystal do not form, usually when
lava is expelled underwater. Vesicular texture, a result of gases escaping while the volcanic
rock is being formed.
Examples of Igneous Rocks
(Extrusive)
c. There are instances when a magma body intrudes into a shallow depth near Earth’s
surface, and begins to crystallize slowly. The subsequent volcanic activity extrudes the
partially crystallized magma onto the surface, thereby speeding up the rate of cooling, the
result is porphyritic texture.
Porphyritic granite
2. Pyroclastic is derived from the Greek pyro which means “fire” and klastos which means
“shattered”. This texture is the result of the lithification of erupted volcanic material.
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are clastic when they from from lithification of rock and mineral
fragments such as quartz, feldspar, and clay.
Sedimentary rocks are crystalline when they precipitate out of solution which forms dolomite,
calcite, halite, or gypsum.
Sedimentary rocks can also be bioclastic when it forms as the result of the accumulation
of organic material or biologic activity. It may even contain remnants of plants, corals,
shell, or fossil fragments.
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks may be foliated when the dominant agent of metamorphic is pressure,
or crystalline when the dominant agent is heat.
1. Platy or elongated minerals align themselves parallel to the axis of pressure, resulting in a
layered appearance or foliation. Mineral differ in foliation based on their composition:
• If the minerals are microscopic, the rock may not appear foliated to the naked eye. The
foliation, however, will manifest itself physically in the rock’s tendency to separate along
parallel planes. This type of texture is called slaty.
• If the minerals are barely visible to the naked eye, their alignment results in an obvious but
not very well-defined foliation. This type of texture is called phyllitic.
• If the minerals are visible to the naked eye, their layering is more distinct and results in a
texture called schistose. These types of rocks are usually composed of platy minerals like
chlorite, graphite, biotite, and muscovite.
• If the minerals are visible and elongated, the rock exhibits a coarsely branded appearance
due to the alignment of minerals like amphibole, feldspar, and quartz. This type of texture
is called gneissic.
2. Crystalline textures result when the parent rock is exposed with enough heat that it
induces recrystallization of the existing minerals. Crystalline metamorphic rocks are usually
composed only of one type of mineral. For example, when a limestone composed of calcite that
precipitated out of solution comes into contact with an intrusive magma body, it will
metamorphose into marble.