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 01. Classification Of Rocks

Rocks varieties are the types of stone reserved by the structure of the ground. Three main
types of rocky major three types of rocky in to the form and physical conditions of the
earth’s rocks,

I. Igneous Rocks
II. Sedimentary Rocks
III. Metamorphic Rocks

There are 75% of the entire composition of the crusting section, and there is 25% amend
and contradictory rocks. There are 95% academic rocks in the total inscription contraction
and about 5%belong to the calendar

1.1 Igneous Rocks

 The rocks that have liquid in the earth are called magma. (At least 700 ° c is heated, rocks
fall into the surface of the earth) as a lava. Magma or literary is called rocky artemins that

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are created by cool into solid thick. The highest number of rocks in the entire planet is rocky.
The Agnese is classified on a few rock criteria.

I. Birth classification as per birth (condensation form) rock classification

II. Coastal classification on chemical composition
III. Rock classification on the color of the color

I. Rock classification on the birth of the birth

Igneous rocks are divided into 2 main groups based on their origin. Namely,

a) Intrusive igneous rocks

b) Extrusive igneous rocks

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Igneous rocks formed by the cooling and solidification of molten magma within the Earth's
interior are called intrusive igneous rocks. Intrusive igneous rocks are further divided into
two sub-types based on the location where the magma cools. These are,

I. Plutonic rocks
II. Hypabyssal rocks

Intrusive igneous rocks formed when molten magma cools and solidifies deep within the
Earth's interior are called subterranean intrusive igneous rocks. Geomorphic features such as
baculites are created based on the shape of these underground outcrops. Igneous rocks
formed by the cooling and solidification of molten magma near the Earth's surface, within
the Earth's interior, are called subducting igneous rocks. Adkison and Penwomen are
examples of subduction igneous rocks. As they cool, they form landforms such as dikes.
These appear on the surface of the Earth as the surface wears away. Magma that reaches
the Earth's surface is called lava. The igneous rocks that form on the Earth's surface when
that lava cools and solidifies are called igneous rocks. Basalt is the main igneous rock.
Igneous rocks are found in areas of thick, weak crust in volcanic eruptions. Igneous basalt
rocks are commonly found on the ocean floor

II. Classification of igneous rocks based on chemical composition

Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling of magma or lava. Magma or lava contains 4
elements. Silicon, iron, magnesium, and olivine. The classification of igneous rocks based on
these elements is known as the classification of igneous rocks based on chemical
composition. Since the chemical composition of magma or lava is quite complex, this
classification is based only on the composition of silicon and iron. Accordingly, igneous rocks
are classified into 4 types

 Acidic igneous rocks

When the silicon content of the rock exceeds 65% and the iron content is between 20-25%,
lavas with low silicon content and high iron content are called basaltic lavas, while those
with high silicon content and high iron content are called acidic igneous rocks. Granite,
diorite, and oxide are examples of this

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  Basal igneous rocks

If the silicon content of the rock is less than 55% and the iron content is about 45%, they are
called basic igneous rocks. Examples include gabbro basalt

 Intermediate igneous rocks

Igneous rocks that lie between acidic and basic rocks are called intermediate igneous rocks.
They usually contain between 55%-65% silicon. It can be concluded that the iron content is
between 20%-45%. An example of this is acidities

 Hyper basic igneous rocks

If the 5% of the total composition of the rock is less than 45% and the iron content is more
than 50%, they are called hyperplasic igneous rocks. Preadamite

Is an example of this

III. Classification of igneous rocks based on color

Igneous rocks are classified by color based on their magnesium and iron content. Taking this
into account, igneous rocks are classified into 3 main types.

 Black igneous rocks

When the magnesium and iron content increase and becomes alkaline, they turn black.
Examples include gabbro and dolomite

 Light-colored igneous rocks

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Acidic rocks with low magnesium and iron content in lava are light-colored igneous rocks.
Granite is an example of this

 Classification of igneous rocks based on color

Igneous rocks with an intermediate color are formed when lava cools between acidic and
basic forms. Diorite is an example of this

02. Examples of Igneous Rocks

II.1 Introduction

It is estimated that the igneous rocks completely cover up the crust of the earth and take up
about 95% of the volume of the earth crust, hence a fundamental understanding of
geological formation and the structure of the earth (Winter, 2010). These rocks are obtained
via cooling and crystallization of molten rock material whether it is intrusive, i.e. below the
earth’s surface, or extrusive, i.e. on the surface. Examples of igneous rocks and their
classification are vital in explaining magmatic processes, dynamics of the crust and the
thermal history of our earth. The variety in igneous rocks is an indication of different
compositions, cooling and formation conditions. Whether the coarse-grained granites that
form large plutonic masses or the less coarse-grained basalts that rise up through mid-ocean
ridges, all the rocks have different tales of geological occurrences (Philpotts & Ague, 2009).
In this report, the use of examples of prominent types of igneous rocks is going to be
analyzed in terms of mineralogy, texture and formation process as well as geological
importance.

II.2 Intrusive (Plutonic) Igneous Rock Examples

a) Granite

Granite is the most common intrusive igneous rock of continental crust, and it exhibits
coarse-grain texture as well as felsic type (Barbarin, 1999). This rock is a plutonic rock
formed by taking a very long time for silica rich magma in the interior of the crust of the
earth and it is usually over 1-2 kilometers in which the cooling occurs. The resulting long
cooling time also permits formation of large crystals, which give the characteristic phaneritic

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texture, which can be observed by naked eye. The granite mineral component is generally
made up of quartz (20-60 percent), potassium feldspar (35-65 percent) and plagioclase
feldspar (10-65 percent) as well as a small amount of any biotite and hornblende (Clarke,
2007). This combination is indicative of the high content of silica (>70% SiO2) that exist in
Felsic igneous rocks. The formation of granite is by several processes such as fractional
crystallization of basaltic magma, partial melting of the crustal rocks and assimilation-
fractional crystallization processes that take place in convergent margin environments.

b) Gabbro

Gabbro is the intrusive equivalent of basalt and has a coarse-grained texture and a mafic
composition (Wilson, 2007). Gabbro is a plutonic rock that forms by the slow cooling of
basaltic magma in the crust, particularly deep crustal environments, much more commonly
found in layered intrusions and ophiolite complexes. Gabbro most commonly includes
plagioclase feldspar (50-70%), pyroxene (20-40%), and can also contain small amounts of
olivine, hornblende, and magnetite. The darker colouration is derived from the abundance
of mafic minerals (e.g. pyroxene and olivine) that contain significant iron and magnesium.
Gabbro mostly forms in oceanic contexts, where it forms the lower section of oceanic crust
(Kelemen et al., 1997) in ophiolite sequences. Jurgen V. Meerkats-b wrote their master’s
thesis based on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, which represents a classic example of
layered gabbroic intrusions that formed through fractional crystallization.

c) Diorite

Diorite is an intermediary compositional intrusive rock, which fills the compositional interval
of felsic granite and mafic gabbro (Rollinson, 1993). It consists of the mineral composition of
plagioclase feldspar (65-85%), hornblende (10-25%), biotite (5-15%), and others consisting of
the small amounts of quartz. This compilation forms a middle-colored rock with a rough
grain texture because of sluggish cooling on the plutonic surroundings. The formation of
diorite usually happens by means of fractional crystallization of basaltic magma or mixing of
magma in the subduction zones.

II.3 Extrusive (Volcanic) Igneous Rock Examples

a) Basalt

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Basalt is the most volumetrically diversified volcanic rock on earth and forms the basis of
oceanic crust and this makes a big part of the continental volcanic provinces (Wilson, 2007).
Mafic volcanic rock is formed by the cooling of basaltic lava on or close to the surface of the
Earth which causes textures to be fine grained highlighting a difference between this
volcanic and the associated intrusive equivalent, gabbro.

Basalt is usually composed of the mineral content of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, olivine,
and in lesser concentrations of magnetite and ilmenite (Gill, 2010). But a sudden cooling can
prevent full crystallization and large volumes of volcanic glass or cryptocrystalline substances
prevail. Basalt is formed in a variety of tectonic environments, such as mid-ocean ridges and
in the oceanic islands, continental flood basalt provinces, and the volcanic arcs. Ocean island
basalts and mid-ocean ridge basalts are produced by decompression melting of mantle
peridotite in hotspot volcanism and the process associated with mid-ocean ridges
respectively.

b) Andesite

Andesite is an intermediate composition volcanic rock, named after the Andes Mountains,
where andesite commonly develops in volcanic arcs (Gill, 1981). Mineral constituents are
generally composed of plagioclase feldspar (50-70%), hornblende (10-40%), biotite (5-20%),
lesser pyroxene and quartz. This mineral assemblage produces rocks of moderate color with
fine-grained volcanic textures.

Andesite forms primarily through subduction-related magmatism, where oceanic plates are
descending into the mantle and intermediate composition magmas are created through
fractionation, crustal assimilation, and mixing processes (Grove et al., 2003). The Cascade
Range and Andes Mountains are classic examples of andesitic volcanic systems
demonstrating the link between subduction processes and intermediate volcanism.

 Special Textural Varieties

 Obsidian

Diorite is an intermediary compositional intrusive rock, which fills the compositional interval
of felsic granite and mafic gabbro (Rollinson, 1993). It consists of the mineral composition of
plagioclase feldspar (65-85%), hornblende (10-25%), biotite (5-15%), and others consisting of

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the small amounts of quartz. This compilation forms a middle-colored rock with a rough
grain texture because of sluggish cooling on the plutonic surroundings. The formation of
diorite usually happens by means of fractional crystallization of basaltic magma or mixing of
magma in the subduction zones.

II.4 Pumice

Basalt is the most volumetrically diversified volcanic rock on earth and forms the basis of
oceanic crust and this makes a big part of the continental volcanic provinces (Wilson, 2007).
Mafic volcanic rock is formed by the cooling of basaltic lava on or close to the surface of the
Earth which causes textures to be fine grained highlighting a difference between this
volcanic and the associated intrusive equivalent, gabbro.

Basalt is usually composed of the mineral content of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, olivine,
and in lesser concentrations of magnetite and ilmenite (Gill, 2010). But a sudden cooling can
prevent full crystallization and large volumes of volcanic glass or cryptocrystalline substances
prevail. Basalt is formed in a variety of tectonic environments, such as mid-ocean ridges and
in the oceanic slands, continental flood basalt provinces, and the volcanic arcs. Ocean island
basalts and mid-ocean ridge basalts are produced by decompression melting of mantle
peridotite in hotspot volcanism and the process associated with mid-ocean ridges
respectively.

2.5 Pegmatite

Rhyolite is the volcanic analog of granite that has high concentrations of silica and the
propensity to explode in an eruption (Cas & Wright, 1987). It is a felsic volcanic rock created
when magma very rich in silica cools quickly as eruptions during volcanic activities occur, a
type that may result in highly viscous lava flows or explosive pyroclastic materials. Its mineral
makeup consists of quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase feldspar and gentrified minor
biotite or hornblende. During volcanic eruptions, rapid cooling may cause large quantities of
volcanic glass that form obsidian or a pumice type. Rhyolite is formed mostly in the volcanic
environments in the continents and more specifically in the silicic caldera.

2.6 Conclusion

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The study of igneous rock petrogenesis provides an astounding range of rock types that form
through magmatic processes. We observed igneous rock examples that differ in
composition, cooling environment, and formation processes through a diverse range of
igneous rocks. Intrusive examples such as granite, gabbro, and diorite reflect the effects of
slow cooling which relate to crystal development and changes between mineral assemblages
in relation to composition. All these plutonic rocks maintain records of deep crustal
processes and long-term thermal histories.

Extrusive examples ranged from basalt, through to rhyolite, and andesite, illustrating the
variability associated with volcanic processes and the link to tectonic setting. These volcanic
rocks also record eruptive products and surface volcanic processes. Examples of unique
textural types such as pumice, obsidian, and pegmatite can illustrate the extremes to which
igneous rocks can be generated and may provide insights into unique processes and
environments.

Continuing to study igneous rock examples is important for our understanding of geological
evolution of the Earth, enabling volcanic hazard prediction, and locating mineral resources.
Understanding igneous rocks provides important information for volcanic hazard prediction,
geothermal energy, and solving geological problems facing contemporary society. Future
research will continue to improve our knowledge of magmatic processes and future
magmatic evolution using isotopic studies, experimental petrology, and numerical modelling.

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 (Igneous Rooks Example) / (Geologyln.com)

03. Key characteristics

Igneous rocks are characterized by their formation from cooled and solidified magma or
lava, resulting in crystalline structures. Key characteristics include a wide range of
compositions, inherent strength, and their role as primary rocks in the rock cycle. They also
lack fossils, can be glass or coarse, and do not react to acids. Further details can be found by
examining their minerals, overall chemical composition, and texture.

I. Elaboration:

Igneous rocks, formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava),
exhibit several distinctive features:

II. Crystalline Structure:

Igneous rocks are typically crystalline, meaning they have a regular arrangement of atoms
that form visible mineral crystals.

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 III. Compositional Variety:

The composition of igneous rocks varies widely, reflecting the diverse sources of magma and
lava. This variation is a key factor in their classification.

IV. Strength and Durability:

The interlocking crystal structure of igneous rocks contributes to their strength and
durability.

V. Role in the Rock Cycle:

Igneous rocks are foundational in the rock cycle, as they can be weathered and eroded into
sediments, which then form sedimentary rocks.

VI. Absence of Fossils:

Igneous rocks do not contain fossils, as the elevated temperatures involved in their
formation destroy any organic material.

VII. Texture:

Igneous rocks can have a range of textures, from coarse-grained (intrusive rocks that cool
slowly underground) to fine-grained or glassy (extrusive rocks that cool rapidly at the
surface).

VIII. Mineral Content:

The mineral composition of igneous rocks provides clues about the magma's origin,
temperature, and pressure conditions during its formation.

IX. Chemical Composition:

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Chemical analyses of igneous rocks help determine the types and amounts of elements
present in the magma, as well as the conditions of formation.

X. Melting Temperature and Viscosity:

These are key factors in magma behavior and influence the type of igneous rock that forms.

XI. Very Hard and Durable

Igneous rocks are hard and resistant to erosion, which is why they form prominent
landforms like mountains and cliffs.

XII. No Fossils

Igneous rocks do not contain fossils, because any organic material would be destroyed by
the high heat of magma or lava.

XIII. Color & Composition:

Felsic rocks: Light-colored, high in silica (granite, rhyolite).

Mafic rocks: Dark-colored, high in magnesium and iron (basalt, gabbro).

XIV. Structure:

Hard, strong, and exceptionally durable.

Usually they do not have layers (unlike sedimentary rocks).

Contain no fossils.

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 (Igneous Rooks – Types 2024.January31)

III.1 Examples and characteristics of igneous rocks

Granite Intrusive Light-colored, large crystals,

extremely hard. Used for
buildings, monuments,
countertops.
Basalt Extrusive Dark-colored, fine-grained.
Most common volcanic rock
— ocean floors are mostly
basalt.
Obsidian Extrusive Volcanic glass, black, shiny,
sharp edges. Forms when
lava cools amazingly fast.
Used for cutting tools in
ancient times.
Pumice Extrusive Light, porous, floats on
water. Gas bubbles get
trapped in lava. Used for

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 polishing and beauty
products.
Diorite Intrusive Medium-colored, coarse-
grained, intermediate
between granite and gabbro.
Used as decorative stone.
Gabbro Intrusive Dark, coarse-grained, like
basalt but formed
underground.
Rhyolite Extrusive Light-colored, fine-grained,
like granite in composition
but forms from lava.
Andesite Extrusive Medium-dark, fine-grained.
Common in volcanic arcs like
the Andes Mountains.
Peridotite Intrusive Dark, coarse-grained, rich in
olivine, found deep in Earth’s
mantle.
Pegmatite Intrusive Dark, coarse-grained, rich in
olivine, found deep in Earth’s
mantle.

3.2 Uses of igneous rocks

Building & Construction

 Granite
 Used for huge building foundations, walls, bridges, dams.
 Polished granite floors, staircases, monuments, gravestones, memorials.
 It is used in airports, banks, and temples because it is elegant and strong.
 Basalt
 Crushed for road base, highways, railway ballast (the stones under tracks).
 Used in making concrete blocks and bricks.

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  Basalt fiber used like glass fiber for fireproof & heatproof products.
 Gabbro
 Used like basalt in roads and construction fill.
 Polished gabbro decorative stone for walls and tiles.

Decorative & Luxury Items

 Obsidian
 Still used for luxury jewelry, knife handles, and souvenirs.
 Ancient cultures used obsidian mirrors.

 Pegmatite
 Contains rare minerals and gemstone used for collecting, jewelry, and
sculptures.
 May contain tourmaline, beryl, and topaz.

Industrial Uses

 Rock Wool (Basalt Wool)

 Basalt is melted and spun into fiber used as thermal & sound insulation in
buildings.
 Pumice
 Used in lightweight concrete (pumice blocks).
 It is used to make scouring powders and stone-wash jeans in factories.
 Scientific & Historical Uses
 Obsidian scalpels are used in microsurgery because they make an extremely
sharp edge.
 Igneous rocks help geologists study Earth’s history and plate tectonics.
 Radioactive minerals in some igneous rocks are used for dating rocks.
 Landscaping & Garden Design
 Granite pebbles and crushed basalt garden paths.
 Large rocks used as garden statues and fountains.
 Pumice mixed into soil to improve drainage for plants.

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 Reference Sheet

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July 21, 2025).

Kudo et al. (2025) Igneous rock | Characteristics, Examples, Formation, & Types.
https://www.britannica.com/science/igneous-rock.

Barbarin, B. (1999). A review of the relationships between granitoid types, their origins and
their geodynamic environments. Lithos, 46(3), 605-626. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024493798000851

Cas, R. A. F., & Wright, J. V. (1987). Volcanic successions: modern and ancient. Allen & Unwin.
Available at: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1319873

Christiansen, E. H. (2005). Contrasting processes in silicic magma chambers: evidence from

very large volume ignimbrites. Geological Magazine, 142(6), 669-681. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252577177_Contrasting_processes_in_silicic_ma
gma_chambers_Evidence_from_very_large_volume_ignimbrites

Clarke, D. B. (2007). Granite petrology and the granite problem. Mineralogical Association of
Canada. Available at:
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Origins-of-Strongly-Peraluminous-Granitoid

Fink, J. H. (1983). Structure and emplacement of a rhyolitic obsidian flow: Little Glass
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Bulletin, 94(3), 362-380.

Gill, J. B. (1981). Orogenic andesites and plate tectonics. Springer-Verlag.

Gill, R. (2010). Igneous rocks and processes: a practical guide. John Wiley & Sons.

Grove, T. L., Elkins‐Tanton, L. T., Parman, S. W., Chatterjee, N., Muntaner, O., & Gaetani, G. A.
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trends. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 145(5), 515-533.

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Houghton, B. F., & Wilson, C. J. N. (1989). A vascularity index for pyroclastic deposits. Bulletin
of Volcanology, 51(6), 451-462.

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migration processes in the adiabatically upwelling mantle beneath oceanic spreading ridges.
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London, D. (2008). Pegmatites. The Canadian Mineralogist, 10, 347-371.

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University Press.

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Worksheet

Group No: 01

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No Name of students
01 W.V Senuri Sandunja Igneous Rooks Classification
Content
02 Vishara udyanjalee Example of Igneous Rooks
Core page
03 K.W Anjalika Maduwanthi Key characteristics
Worksheet
Reference Sheet

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