Rocks Description, Identification, Nomenclature, Genesis

About this book

The first part of this book presents an overview of the world of rocks and their setting on Earth. The genesis of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks is described in terms of modern concepts of plate tectonics. The most important characteristics of the rock-forming minerals necessary for identification and characterisation, as well as the classification procedures recommended by the International Union of Geosciences, are summarised. The structure and fabric of rocks, i.e., the way in which the component mineral grains are assembled, are documented and dealt with as a direct consequence of those specific and distinct processes that create the contrasting groups of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The second and major part of this book presents ca. 450 different types of rocks in a structured, systematic order. Representative, detailed and diagnostic photographs of hand specimens are combined with concise descriptions for quick and effective reference. At the end of the book, the most important macroscopic properties of the rock-forming minerals are tabulated, and flow charts are provided as an aid to identification. A summary index of all minerals mentioned in this book, together with their chemical formulae, is also provided as a quick reference guide.

A first German edition of this book was published in 1987, reprinted several times and even translated into Spanish and Italian. Expanded and updated editions followed in 2014, 2016 and 2024. This English edition builds on the 2024 German volume but had to cope with the difficulties of using and defining terms like fabric, texture and structure for an international readership. Texture, in particular, has been used with completely different meanings in different languages and disciplines. This book complies with the recommendations of the International Union of Geosciences. This book addresses students and professional as well as-non-professional geoscientists, both as an initial introduction to the world of rocks and as a quick diagnostic reference guide in the field and laboratory.

Contents

- Introduction   11
- What is a rock   12
 Th-e three principal groups of rocks: magmatic, sedimentary, metamorphic   15
- Earth's structure   17
- The rock-forming minerals   23
      Macroscopic determination   23
      The most important rock-forming minerals   26
      Felsic minerals   27
      Dark mafic minerals   31
      Minerals found almost exclusively in metamorphic rocks   34
      Examples of non-silicates   35
      Other methods of identification   36
- The meso- and microstructure of rocks   38
      Meso- and microstructures as products of rock formation   40
      Sequential crystallization: Characteristic feature of magmatic rocks   40
      Clastic structure: Characteristic feature of the most common sedimentary rocks   41
      Deformational and crystalloblastic structures: Characteristic features of metamorphic rocks   42
      The basic elements of meso- and microstructures   44
- Classification and formation of rocks   48
      Magmatic rocks   49
      Intrusive versus extrusive   49
      Classification   51
      Magmatic series, provinces and suites   57
      A note on the systematic description of magmatic rocks   62
      Sedimentary rocks   62
      Classification of clastic sedimentary rocks   66
      Classification of pyroclastic rocks   68
      Classification of biochemical and other biogenic sedimentary rocks   69
      Classification of chemical sedimentary and residual rocks   70
      A note on the systematic description of sedimentary rocks   71
      Metamorphic rocks   71
      A basic descriptive classification scheme   71
      Types of metamorphism   72
      A systematic view of metamorphic grade   75
      A note on the systematic description of metamorphic rocks   79
- Systematic description of magmatic rocks   80
      Plutonic rocks   80
      Pegmatites   120
      Aplites   124
      Volcanic rocks   128
      Ultramafic rocks   168
      Lamproite group   180
      Lamprophyre group   182
      Carbonatites   188
- Systematic description of sedimentary rocks   190
      Siliciclastic rocks   190
      Pyroclastic rocks    216
      Chemical, biochemical, biogenic rocks   226
- Systematic description of metamorphic rocks   270
      Products of regional metamorphism   270
      Products of contact metamorphism   328
      Products of intense metasomatic alteration   334
      Products of dislocation metamorphism   356
- Meteorites   364
- Diagnostic physical properties of the most important rock-forming minerals   366
- Identification aids   369
      Magmatic rocks   370
      Sedimentary rocks   372
      Metamorphic rocks   374

References   377
Index of minerals   379
Subject index   395
Credits   408

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