This book is intended for first year students of geology. The physical properties of minerals are described after a brief introduction presenting the rock cycle, followed by some relevant aspects of crystallography. Rock-forming minerals are then treated systematically, concentrating first on silicates followed by the most important non-silicate minerals. The three main groups of rocks are then considered: igneous (plutonic and volcanic), sedimentary and metamorphic. The text is well illustrated with 16 photographs of minerals and a total of 89 figures.
Content
Preface
1. Introduction
1.1 Igneous rocks
1.2 Sedimentary rocks
1.3 Metamorphic rocks
1.4 The Rock Cycle
2. Minerals – an Introduction
2.1 Definition of a mineral
2.1.1 Polymorphs
2.2 Properties of minerals
2.2.1 Crystal form, growth habit and twinning
2.2.2 Cleavage and fracture
2.2.3 Lustre
2.2.4 Colour
2.2.5 Streak
2.2.6 Hardness
2.2.7 Tenacity
2.2.8 Density
2.2.9 Other properties
3. Crystallography
3.1 Symmetry
3.2 Crystal systems
3.3 Crystal classes
3.4 Indices of crystal faces
4. Systematic Mineralogy
4.1 Silicate minerals
4.1.1 Nesosilicates
4.1.2 Sorosilicates (epidote)
4.1.3 Cyclosilicates
4.1.4 Inosilicates
4.1.5 Phyllosilicates
4.1.6 Tectosilicates
4.2 Non-silicate minerals
4.2.1 Native elements
4.2.2 Sulphides
4.2.3 Oxides
4.2.4 Chlorides and fluorides
4.2.5 Carbonates
4.2.6 Sulphates
4.2.7 Phosphates
5. Igneous rocks
5.1 Classification of igneous rocks
5.1.1 Plutonic rocks
5.1.2 Volcanic rocks
5.1.3 Mineral assemblages
5.2 Magma
5.2.1 Where does magma come from?
5.2.2 The composition of magma
5.2.3 Temperature
5.2.4 Viscosity
5.2.5 Density
5.3 Eruption of magma
5.3.1 Non-explosive eruptions
5.3.2 Explosive eruptions
5.4 Volcanoes
5.4.1 The shapes of volcanoes
5.4.2 Calderas
5.5 Plutonic rocks
5.5.1 Minor intrusions (dykes and sills)
5.5.2 Major intrusions (plutons)
5.5.3 Chilled margins
5.6 The origin of magma
5.6.1 Distribution of volcanoes
5.6.2 Origin of basaltic magma
5.6.3 Origin of andesitic magma
5.6.4 Origin of rhyolitic magma
5.6.5 Crystallization of magmas
5.7 Igneous mineral deposits
6. Sedimentary rocks
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Weathering
6.3. Classification of sedimentary rocks
6.3.1 Clastic sedimentary rocks
6.3.2 Biochemical sedimentary rocks
6.3.3 Organic sedimentary rocks
6.3.4 Chemical sedimentary rocks
6.4 Sedimentary structures
6.4.1 Layering (bedding)
6.4.2 Surface markings
6.4.3 Graded bedding
6.5 Where do sediments form?
6.5.1 Terrestrial environments
6.5.2 Marine environments
7. Metamorphic rocks
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Metamorphism – causes and effects
7.2.1 Heat
7.2.2 Pressure
7.2.3 Water
7.2.4 Differential stress
7.3 Types of metamorphic rocks
7.3.1 Non-foliated metamorphic rocks
7.3.2 Foliated metamorphic rocks
7.3.3 Types of protolith
7.4 Grades of metamorphism
7.4.1 The progressive metamorphism of shale
7.4.2 Index minerals and metamorphic zones
7.4.3 Metamorphic facies
7.4.4 Geothermal gradients
7.5 Environments of metamorphism
7.5.1 Burial metamorphism
7.5.2 Blueschist facies and eclogite facies metamorphism
7.5.3 Regional metamorphism
7.5.4 Thermal metamorphism
7.5.5 Dynamic metamorphism
7.5.6 Metamorphism at mid-ocean ridges
7.6 Where do metamorphic rocks occur?
