Knowledge (XXG)

Lithology

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The mineralogical composition of a rock is one of the major ways in which it is classified. Igneous rocks are classified by their mineral content whenever practical, using the QAPF classification or special ultramafic or carbonatite classifications. Likewise metamorphic facies, which show the degree
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is a measure of the sizes of the crystals in the rock. In igneous rock, this is used to determine the rate at which the material cooled: large crystals typically indicate intrusive igneous rock, while small crystals indicate that the rock was extrusive. Metamorphism of rock composed of mostly a
301:. These textures, from slate to gneiss, define a continually-increasing extent of metamorphism. Metamorphic facies are defined by the pressure-temperature fields in which particular minerals form. Additional metamorphic rock names exist, such as 231:. Where possible, extrusive igneous rocks are also classified by mineral content using the extrusive QAPF classification, but when determining the mineral composition is impractical, they may be classified chemically using the 461:
The colour of a rock or its component parts is a distinctive characteristic of some rocks and is always recorded, sometimes against standard colour charts, such as that produced by the Rock-Color Chart Committee of the
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Unconsolidated surficial materials may also be given a lithology. This is defined by grain size and composition and is often attached to an interpretation of how the unit formed. Surficial lithologies can be given to
254:. Siliciclastic sedimentary rocks are then subcategorized based on their grain size distribution and the relative proportions of quartz, feldspar, and lithic (rock) fragments. Carbonate rocks are classified with the 70:, and composition. Lithology may refer to either a detailed description of these characteristics, or a summary of the gross physical character of a rock. Examples of lithologies in the second sense include 490:), are characterised by well-developed planar and linear fabrics. Igneous rocks may also have fabrics as a result of flow or the settling out of particular mineral phases during crystallisation, forming 453:
to which a rock has been exposed to heat and pressure and are therefore important in classifying metamorphic rocks, are determined by observing the mineral phases that are present in a sample.
534:, shape and roundness of the clasts. Metamorphic textures include those referring to the timing of growth of large metamorphic minerals relative to a phase of deformation—before deformation 152:, which is a mixture of molten rock, dissolved gases, and solid crystals. Sedimentary rock is formed from mineral or organic particles that collect at the Earth's surface and become 360:
In clastic sedimentary rocks, grain size is the diameter of the grains and/or clasts that constitute the rock. These are used to determine which rock naming system to use (e.g., a
1370: 372:). In the case of sandstones and conglomerates, which cover a wide range of grain sizes, a word describing the grain size range is added to the rock name. Examples are " 816:"Descriptive nomenclature and classification of pyroclastic deposits and fragments: recommendations of the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Igneous Rocks" 482:
of a rock describes the spatial and geometric configuration of all the elements that make it up. In sedimentary rocks the main visible fabric is normally
486:, and the scale and degree of development of the bedding is normally recorded as part of the description. Metamorphic rocks (apart from those created by 526:
of a rock describes the relationship between the individual grains or clasts that make up the rock. Sedimentary textures include the degree of
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Rocks often contain small-scale structures (smaller than the scale of an individual outcrop). In sedimentary rocks this may include
1377: 1192:. Vol. 1. US Bureau of Reclamation, Technical Service Center Engineering Geology Group. 1998. pp. 57–90. Archived from 1184: 609:
are used to determine the sense of displacement across the zone. In igneous rocks, small-scale structures are mostly observed in
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Igneous rocks are further broken into three broad categories. Igneous rock composed of broken rock fragments created directly by
643: 102: 1081: 1056: 1031: 869: 1371:"McCarthy, T. & Rubidge, B. 2008. The story of earth and life, Chapter 3, The first continent. 60-91, Struik Publishers" 1339:
A handbook of rocks for use without the microscope : with a glossary of the names of rocks and other lithological terms
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Walker, George P L. (1992-08-01). "Walker, G.P.L. 1992. Morphometric study of pillow-size spectrum among pillow lavas".
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and may provide information on paleocurrent directions. In metamorphic rocks associated with the deeper levels of
156:. Metamorphic rock forms by recrystallization of existing solid rock under conditions of great heat or pressure. 437:
rocks or those with possible calcite veins, it is normal to test for the presence of calcite (or other forms of
594: 930: 642:, and recent volcanic deposits, among others. Examples of surficial lithology classifications used by the 361: 1474: 547: 434: 330: 255: 1410: 1306: 922: 679: 487: 467: 184: 935: 101:, lithology is described using a standard terminology such as in the European geotechnical standard 259: 421:
In rocks in which mineral grains are large enough to be identified using a hand lens, the visible
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include such properties as grain shape, which varies from crystals with ideal crystal shapes (
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is included as part of the description. In the case of sequences possibly including
1051:(4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. pp. 169–173. 913:
Le Bas, M. J.; Streckeisen, A. L. (1991). "The IUGS systematics of igneous rocks".
582: 350: 220: 204: 172: 137: 94: 43: 223:. Special classifications exist for igneous rock of unusual compositions, such as 614: 551: 302: 228: 216: 122: 113: 63: 1318: 1161: 1076:. Harlow, Essex, England: Longman Scientific & Technical. pp. 21–27. 422: 408: 341: 67: 1001:(2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 139–143. 944: 1183:"4 Classification of rocks and description of physical properties of rock". 602: 502: 426: 365: 326: 310: 266: 262:
classification schemes according to the constituents of the carbonate rock.
188: 160: 83: 71: 33: 17: 353:), while metamorphism of sheared rock may decrease grain size (syntectonic 593:. These are recorded as they are generally characteristic of a particular 586: 571: 555: 404: 396: 369: 290: 196: 39: 1422: 831: 650:", "Saline Lake Sediment", and "Eolian Sediment, Coarse-Textured (Sand 566: 511: 430: 400: 388: 377: 334: 282: 187:, may also be applied. Igneous rocks that have visible mineral grains ( 176: 59: 515: 415: 412: 373: 346: 306: 298: 294: 274: 208: 164: 118: 89:
Lithology is the basis of subdividing rock sequences into individual
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unit is a description of its physical characteristics visible at
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and correlation between areas. In certain applications, such as
175:) size and whether the fragments are mostly individual mineral 992: 990: 246:
Sedimentary rocks are further classified by whether they are
1095: 1093: 203:. Intrusive igneous rocks are usually classified using the 1162:"The Acid Test for Carbonate Minerals and Carbonate Rocks" 27:
Description of the physical characteristics of a rock unit
183:, or rock fragments. Further classifications, such as by 1355:
Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, Volume 25
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showing eruption within a body of water or beneath ice.
554:), or whether grains are aligned (which is described as 1024:
Petrology : igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
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British Geological Survey: Rock Classification Scheme
793:(9th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: J. Wiley. p. 57. 125:' lava shape characteristic of underwater eruptions, 329:, the finest-grained sedimentary rock, deposited in 195:, while those that are glassy or very fine-grained ( 730: 1341:. 5. Aufl., New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1918, pp. 613:such as pahoehoe versus ʻAʻā basaltic flows, and 32:For the study of rocks and their formation, see 1473:USGS Rocky Mountain Geographic Science Center. 999:Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology 737:(2 ed.). Oxford University Press. p.  970:"Rock Classification Scheme - Vol 1 - Igneous" 1444:Harmon, Russel S.; Rapela, Carlos W. (1991). 860:Fisher, Richard V.; Schmincke, H.-U. (1984). 8: 1475:"Surficial Lithology: Attribute information" 1293:Carreras, J.; Druguet E.; Griera A. (2005). 1049:Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy 997:Philpotts, Anthony R.; Ague, Jay J. (2009). 601:, small scale structures such as asymmetric 207:, which is based on the relative content of 1272:. Cambridge University Press. p. 272. 908: 906: 864:. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 98–99. 700:Bates, R. J.; Jackson, J. A., eds. (1984). 1357:/ Geological Society of America. 1914, p. 1241: 1147: 768:. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 364. 762:American Heritage Dictionary, ed. (2005). 132:The naming of a lithology is based on the 1446:Andean Magmatism and Its Tectonic Setting 934: 148:. Igneous rocks are formed directly from 1351:4th Annual Report U.S. Geological Survey 1074:An introduction to metamorphic petrology 1022:Blatt, Harvey; Tracy, Robert J. (1996). 765:The American heritage science dictionary 265:Metamorphic rock naming can be based on 235:. This is based on the total content of 38: 1229: 1135: 1111: 1099: 729:Allaby, Ailsa; Allaby, Michael (1999). 663: 964: 962: 1253: 1217: 1123: 345:single mineral, such as quartzite or 309:and other extrusive igneous rock) or 7: 733:Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences 269:, mineral composition, texture, or 340:In igneous and metamorphic rocks, 285:) protolith can be used to define 25: 915:Journal of the Geological Society 889:. Berlin: Springer. p. 138. 136:. The three major rock types are 1376:. Web.wits.ac.za. Archived from 1186:Engineering Geology Field Manual 273:. Naming based on texture and a 885:Schmincke, Hans-Ulrich (2003). 376:conglomerate" and "fine quartz 702:Dictionary of Geological Terms 1: 1450:Geological Society of America 1299:Journal of Structural Geology 706:American Geological Institute 464:Geological Society of America 313:(metamorphosed quartz sand). 243:and other chemical criteria. 46:as seen in southeastern Utah 510:basalt is characterized by 349:, may increase grain size ( 1519: 1295:"Shear zone-related folds" 1072:Yardley, B. W. D. (1989). 293:. Texture-based names are 93:units for the purposes of 31: 1319:10.1016/j.jsg.2004.08.004 789:Levin, Harold L. (2010). 191:rocks) are classified as 945:10.1144/gsjgs.148.5.0825 595:depositional environment 1403:Bulletin of Volcanology 411:) in a matrix of mafic 1477:. US Geological Survey 1242:Blatt & Tracy 1996 1148:Blatt & Tracy 1996 791:The earth through time 644:U.S. Geological Survey 574: 562:Small-scale structures 519: 506:The lithology of this 418: 337: 129: 47: 569: 505: 391: 331:Glacial Lake Missoula 324: 116: 42: 814:Schmidt, R. (1981). 680:US Geological Survey 646:are, "Glacial Till, 488:contact metamorphism 468:Munsell color system 199:) are classified as 185:chemical composition 167:) are classified as 1415:1992BVol...54..459W 1337:James Furman Kemp: 1311:2005JSG....27.1229C 1266:Fossen, H. (2010). 1232:, pp. 154–170. 1138:, pp. 154–155. 1047:Boggs, Sam (2006). 927:1991JGSoc.148..825L 676:Earthquake Glossary 621:Surficial lithology 538:—after deformation 407:(altering brown to 241:alkali metal oxides 205:QAPF classification 99:site investigations 1423:10.1007/BF00301392 1269:Structural Geology 1256:, pp. 74–118. 1150:, p. 241-242. 1114:, pp. 21, 26. 832:10.1007/BF01822152 575: 570:Ripple marks from 520: 419: 338: 271:metamorphic facies 233:TAS classification 130: 91:lithostratigraphic 48: 1459:978-0-8137-2265-8 1279:978-0-521-51664-8 1244:, pp. 39–44. 1126:, pp. 58–59. 1102:, pp. 49–51. 862:Pyroclastic rocks 775:978-0-618-45504-1 443:hydrochloric acid 439:calcium carbonate 355:recrystallization 16:(Redirected from 1510: 1487: 1486: 1484: 1482: 1470: 1464: 1463: 1441: 1435: 1434: 1398: 1392: 1391: 1389: 1388: 1382: 1375: 1367: 1361: 1349:: C. E. Dutton, 1335: 1329: 1328: 1326: 1325: 1305:(7): 1229–1251. 1290: 1284: 1283: 1263: 1257: 1251: 1245: 1239: 1233: 1227: 1221: 1215: 1209: 1208: 1206: 1204: 1198: 1191: 1180: 1174: 1173: 1171: 1169: 1157: 1151: 1145: 1139: 1133: 1127: 1121: 1115: 1109: 1103: 1097: 1088: 1087: 1069: 1063: 1062: 1044: 1038: 1037: 1019: 1013: 1012: 994: 985: 984: 974: 966: 957: 956: 938: 910: 901: 900: 882: 876: 875: 857: 851: 850: 848: 846: 811: 805: 804: 786: 780: 779: 759: 753: 752: 736: 726: 720: 719: 697: 691: 690: 688: 686: 668: 544:Igneous textures 445:and looking for 317:Grain/clast size 169:pyroclastic rock 21: 1518: 1517: 1513: 1512: 1511: 1509: 1508: 1507: 1493: 1492: 1491: 1490: 1480: 1478: 1472: 1471: 1467: 1460: 1443: 1442: 1438: 1400: 1399: 1395: 1386: 1384: 1380: 1373: 1369: 1368: 1364: 1353:, 1883, S. 95; 1336: 1332: 1323: 1321: 1292: 1291: 1287: 1280: 1265: 1264: 1260: 1252: 1248: 1240: 1236: 1228: 1224: 1216: 1212: 1202: 1200: 1199:on 17 June 2015 1196: 1189: 1182: 1181: 1177: 1167: 1165: 1159: 1158: 1154: 1146: 1142: 1134: 1130: 1122: 1118: 1110: 1106: 1098: 1091: 1084: 1071: 1070: 1066: 1059: 1046: 1045: 1041: 1034: 1021: 1020: 1016: 1009: 996: 995: 988: 972: 968: 967: 960: 936:10.1.1.692.4446 912: 911: 904: 897: 884: 883: 879: 872: 859: 858: 854: 844: 842: 813: 812: 808: 801: 788: 787: 783: 776: 761: 760: 756: 749: 728: 727: 723: 716: 708:. p. 299. 699: 698: 694: 684: 682: 670: 669: 665: 660: 623: 564: 500: 476: 459: 441:) using dilute 386: 319: 305:(metamorphosed 225:ultramafic rock 213:alkali feldspar 179:, particles of 121:, showing the ' 111: 37: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1516: 1514: 1506: 1505: 1495: 1494: 1489: 1488: 1465: 1458: 1452:. p. 24. 1436: 1409:(6): 459–474. 1393: 1362: 1330: 1285: 1278: 1258: 1246: 1234: 1222: 1220:, p. 130. 1210: 1175: 1152: 1140: 1128: 1116: 1104: 1089: 1082: 1064: 1057: 1039: 1032: 1014: 1007: 986: 958: 921:(5): 825–833. 902: 895: 877: 870: 852: 806: 799: 781: 774: 754: 747: 721: 714: 704:(3 ed.). 692: 662: 661: 659: 656: 622: 619: 563: 560: 499: 496: 475: 472: 458: 455: 392:An ultramafic 385: 382: 318: 315: 201:extrusive rock 181:volcanic glass 110: 107: 26: 24: 14: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1515: 1504: 1501: 1500: 1498: 1476: 1469: 1466: 1461: 1455: 1451: 1447: 1440: 1437: 1432: 1428: 1424: 1420: 1416: 1412: 1408: 1404: 1397: 1394: 1383:on 2009-04-07 1379: 1372: 1366: 1363: 1360: 1356: 1352: 1348: 1344: 1340: 1334: 1331: 1320: 1316: 1312: 1308: 1304: 1300: 1296: 1289: 1286: 1281: 1275: 1271: 1270: 1262: 1259: 1255: 1250: 1247: 1243: 1238: 1235: 1231: 1226: 1223: 1219: 1214: 1211: 1195: 1188: 1187: 1179: 1176: 1164:. Geology.com 1163: 1160:Geology.com. 1156: 1153: 1149: 1144: 1141: 1137: 1132: 1129: 1125: 1120: 1117: 1113: 1108: 1105: 1101: 1096: 1094: 1090: 1085: 1079: 1075: 1068: 1065: 1060: 1054: 1050: 1043: 1040: 1035: 1029: 1025: 1018: 1015: 1010: 1008:9780521880060 1004: 1000: 993: 991: 987: 983:: 1–52. 1999. 982: 978: 971: 965: 963: 959: 954: 950: 946: 942: 937: 932: 928: 924: 920: 916: 909: 907: 903: 898: 896:9783540436508 892: 888: 881: 878: 873: 867: 863: 856: 853: 841: 837: 833: 829: 825: 821: 817: 810: 807: 802: 800:9780470387740 796: 792: 785: 782: 777: 771: 767: 766: 758: 755: 750: 748:0-19-280079-5 744: 740: 735: 734: 725: 722: 717: 715:0-385-18101-9 711: 707: 703: 696: 693: 681: 677: 673: 667: 664: 657: 655: 653: 649: 645: 641: 637: 633: 629: 620: 618: 616: 612: 608: 604: 600: 596: 592: 591:cross-bedding 588: 584: 580: 579:sole markings 573: 568: 561: 559: 557: 553: 549: 545: 541: 540:porphyroblast 537: 536:porphyroclast 533: 529: 525: 517: 513: 509: 504: 497: 495: 493: 489: 485: 481: 473: 471: 469: 466:based on the 465: 456: 454: 450: 448: 447:effervescence 444: 440: 436: 432: 428: 424: 417: 414: 410: 406: 402: 398: 395: 390: 383: 381: 379: 375: 371: 367: 363: 358: 356: 352: 348: 343: 336: 332: 328: 323: 316: 314: 312: 308: 304: 300: 296: 292: 288: 284: 280: 276: 272: 268: 263: 261: 257: 253: 249: 248:siliciclastic 244: 242: 238: 234: 230: 226: 222: 218: 214: 210: 206: 202: 198: 194: 190: 186: 182: 178: 174: 170: 166: 162: 157: 155: 151: 147: 143: 139: 135: 128: 124: 120: 115: 108: 106: 104: 100: 96: 92: 87: 85: 81: 77: 73: 69: 65: 62:, in hand or 61: 57: 53: 45: 41: 35: 30: 19: 1481:15 September 1479:. Retrieved 1468: 1445: 1439: 1406: 1402: 1396: 1385:. Retrieved 1378:the original 1365: 1354: 1350: 1338: 1333: 1322:. Retrieved 1302: 1298: 1288: 1268: 1261: 1249: 1237: 1230:Yardley 1989 1225: 1213: 1201:. Retrieved 1194:the original 1185: 1178: 1166:. Retrieved 1155: 1143: 1136:Yardley 1989 1131: 1119: 1112:Yardley 1989 1107: 1100:Yardley 1989 1073: 1067: 1048: 1042: 1023: 1017: 998: 980: 976: 918: 914: 886: 880: 861: 855: 845:27 September 843:. Retrieved 823: 819: 809: 790: 784: 764: 757: 732: 724: 701: 695: 683:. Retrieved 675: 666: 624: 583:ripple marks 576: 521: 518:phenocrysts. 477: 460: 451: 420: 362:conglomerate 359: 351:grain growth 339: 264: 245: 229:carbonatites 221:feldspathoid 158: 131: 88: 64:core samples 51: 49: 44:Stratigraphy 29: 18:Lithological 1168:28 November 672:"Lithology" 630:, coastal, 599:fault zones 552:porphyritic 508:porphyritic 303:greenschist 217:plagioclase 163:processes ( 146:metamorphic 142:sedimentary 1387:2014-03-10 1324:2009-10-31 1254:Boggs 2006 1218:Boggs 2006 1124:Levin 2010 1083:0582300967 1058:0131547283 1033:0716724383 871:3540127569 685:29 October 658:References 628:lacustrine 607:microfolds 558:texture). 427:carbonates 423:mineralogy 409:iddingsite 384:Mineralogy 342:grain size 189:phaneritic 103:Eurocode 7 68:grain size 1503:Petrology 1431:129797887 931:CiteSeerX 887:Volcanism 840:128375559 826:: 41–43. 587:mudcracks 556:trachytic 492:cumulates 366:sandstone 327:claystone 311:quartzite 267:protolith 252:carbonate 197:aphanitic 193:intrusive 154:lithified 134:rock type 109:Rock type 84:limestone 72:sandstone 52:lithology 34:Petrology 1497:Category 953:28548230 572:Mongolia 548:euhedral 435:cemented 405:pyroxene 397:xenolith 370:mudstone 291:phyllite 177:crystals 161:volcanic 1411:Bibcode 1307:Bibcode 923:Bibcode 820:Geology 640:glacial 636:aeolian 632:fluvial 615:pillows 603:boudins 532:grading 528:sorting 524:texture 512:olivine 498:Texture 484:bedding 431:calcite 401:olivine 378:arenite 335:Montana 283:mudrock 277:(e.g., 138:igneous 95:mapping 60:outcrop 1456:  1429:  1276:  1203:7 June 1080:  1055:  1030:  1005:  951:  933:  893:  868:  838:  797:  772:  745:  712:  516:augite 480:fabric 474:Fabric 457:Colour 416:scoria 413:basalt 394:mantle 374:pebble 347:marble 307:basalt 299:gneiss 295:schist 275:pelite 256:Dunham 237:silica 219:, and 209:quartz 165:tephra 144:, and 123:pillow 119:basalt 80:basalt 1427:S2CID 1381:(PDF) 1374:(PDF) 1197:(PDF) 1190:(PDF) 973:(PDF) 949:S2CID 836:S2CID 652:Dunes 648:Loamy 611:lavas 399:with 368:, or 287:slate 279:shale 173:clast 150:magma 127:Italy 82:, or 76:slate 54:of a 1483:2011 1454:ISBN 1274:ISBN 1205:2010 1170:2016 1078:ISBN 1053:ISBN 1028:ISBN 1003:ISBN 891:ISBN 866:ISBN 847:2020 795:ISBN 770:ISBN 743:ISBN 710:ISBN 687:2010 654:)". 605:and 589:and 522:The 514:and 478:The 403:and 297:and 289:and 260:Folk 239:and 56:rock 50:The 1419:doi 1359:639 1347:240 1343:180 1315:doi 941:doi 919:148 828:doi 739:320 380:". 357:). 258:or 250:or 227:or 86:. 1499:: 1448:. 1425:. 1417:. 1407:54 1405:. 1345:, 1313:. 1303:27 1301:. 1297:. 1092:^ 989:^ 979:. 975:. 961:^ 947:. 939:. 929:. 917:. 905:^ 834:. 822:. 818:. 741:. 678:. 674:. 638:, 634:, 585:, 581:, 542:. 530:, 494:. 470:. 449:. 429:, 364:, 333:, 325:A 281:, 215:, 211:, 140:, 117:A 105:. 78:, 74:, 1485:. 1462:. 1433:. 1421:: 1413:: 1390:. 1327:. 1317:: 1309:: 1282:. 1207:. 1172:. 1086:. 1061:. 1036:. 1011:. 981:1 955:. 943:: 925:: 899:. 874:. 849:. 830:: 824:9 803:. 778:. 751:. 718:. 689:. 433:- 36:. 20:)

Index

Lithological
Petrology

Stratigraphy
rock
outcrop
core samples
grain size
sandstone
slate
basalt
limestone
lithostratigraphic
mapping
site investigations
Eurocode 7

basalt
pillow
Italy
rock type
igneous
sedimentary
metamorphic
magma
lithified
volcanic
tephra
pyroclastic rock
clast

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