INTRODUCTION

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide
the avenue for students to enhance independent learning and inculcate creativity and
innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means, and answers
are provided to the students. However it is still necessary especially to first and
second year students.

Rocks that are formed by crystallization of a melt are igneous rock and they may be
formed at depth (intrusive or plutonic) or on the surface (extrusive or volcanic). In
general. Igneous rock that cool rapidly (I.e volcanic rock) are very fine-grained
whereas rocks that cool slowly (I.e plutonic rocks) are coarse-grained.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this laboratory test is to recognize, identified and observed

distinguishing features of igneous rock specimen in the laboratory.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Rocks of all kind are made up of an assemblage of minerals. For civil engineering
purposes, there are several other features of rocks in addition to mineral content ehich
will help with identification. It is only igneous rock that details of the mineralogy are
required to accurately identify the rock. For engineering purposes such accurate
identification is required.

In a group, students are given a box of igneous rock samples. Student should be able
to identify the rock samples according to Igneous Classification Chart given in
Appendix 2 (b).

APPARATUS

I. Igneous rock from reference set

II. Igneous classification chart.
PROCEDURES

Students should learn to familiarize and observe the samples by referring the igneous
classification charts and tabulate the results observation in Appendix 2 (b) attached.

I. The mineral are named by referring from the Reference set.

II. The texture of minerals is identified through observation.
III. The colour of minerals is identified through observation.
IV. Mineral composition of the igneous rocks is determined frim Appendix 2 (a).
RESULT

ROCK TEXTURE COLOUR GRAIN MINERAL ORIGIN

NAME SIZE COMPOSITION

Pegmatite Very Course Pinkish-grey Large Biotite, Found in

Plagioclase, recrystallised
Muscovite, zones
Orthoclase, apophyses
Hornblende, associated
Quartz with large
layered
intrusions
Granite Medium to Variations of Large Biotite, Slow cooling
course, black and Plagioclase, of magma
Phaneritic grey Muscovite, deep
Orthoclase, underground
Hornblende,
Quartz

Syenite Medium to Blue pearl Large Biotite, Products of

course, alkaline
Magnitite &
Phaneritic igneous
Ilmentite,
activity
Plagioclase,
Orthoclase,
Hornblende,
Quartz

Anorthosite Medium to Yellowish Large Plagioclase, Composed

course, white. predominantly
Orthoclase,
Phaneritic of
Augite calcium-rich
plagioclase
Hornblende feldspar.
Biotite

Gabbro Medium to Dark green Large Magnitite Slow cooling

course, &Ilmentite of
Phaneritic magnesium-ric
Plagioclase
h and iron-rich
Olivine magma.

Augite
Hornblende
Rhyolite Aphanitic, Variable Fine-grained Plagioclase, Composed of
Porphyry matrix large
Porphyritic (gray,rose) Quartz,
conspicuous
Hornblende crystals

Biotite

Trachyte Aphanitic, Variable but Fine-grained Biotite, Alkali series

Porphyry often light matrix Plagioclase, of
Porphyritic
Muscovite, intermediate
Orthoclase, volcanic rocks
Hornblende,
Quartz
Basalt Aphanitic, Yellowish Too small to Magnitite Rapid cooling
Porphyritic gray be seen by &Ilmentite in volcanic
the naked environments
Plagioclase
eyes
Olivine
Augite
Hornblende
Rhyolite Aphanitic, Yellowish to Too small to Biotite, Rapid cooling
even or colourlsess be seen by Plagioclase, in volcanic
porphyritic the naked Muscovite, environments
eyes Orthoclase,
Hornblende,
Quartz

Andesite Aphanitic, Blueish- gray Large in Biotite Volcanic

even or grain size equivalent of
Magnitite &
porphyritic diorite
Ilmentite,
Plagioclase,
Orthoclase,
Hornblende,
Augite
Tuff Fragmental Yellowish Too small to Magnitite Made of
white be seen by &Ilmentite volcanic ash
the naked ejected from
Plagioclase
eyes vent during a
Olivine volcanic
eruption
Augite
Hornblende

Obsidian Glassy, Indian red to None Biotite, Felsic lava

brown Plagioclase, extruded from
Aphanitic,
 even or Muscovite, a volcano
porphyritic Orthoclase, cools rapidly
Hornblende, with minimal
Quartz crystals.

Pumice Vesicular, Creamy Very fine Biotite, Volcanic rock

white Plagioclase, that consists
Aphanitic,
Muscovite, highly
even or
Orthoclase, vesicular
porphyritic
Hornblende, rough textured
Quartz volcanic glass.
Scoria Vesicular Black Fine, glassy Magnitite Magma
&Ilmentite containing
Aphanitic
abundant
Plagioclase
dissolved gas
Olivine flows from a
volcano is
Augite blown out
Hornblende during an
eruption.

Pitchstone Glassy Dull black N/A Magnitite Felsic lava or

glassy &Ilmentite magma cools
Aphanitic
Plagioclase quickly

Olivine
Augite
Hornblende
DISCUSSION

In describing any rock, one should proceed from the general to the particular, nothing
firstly its colour, behaviour on weathering and any other striking features and then
deciding whether it is igneous rocks or other types of rock
The outstanding characteristics of the igneous rocks is the texture of the igneous rock
is glassy, prophyritic, phaneritic, aphanitic,vesicular and fragmental. The igneous rock
have interlocking grains and massive structures.

Phaneritic
Comprised of large crystals that are very clearly visible to the hand or without a hand
lens.
Example: Granite and Diorite.

Aphanitic
Consists of small crystals that cannot be seen by the eye with or without a hand lens.
Examples: Basalt, Rhyolite

Porphyritic
Composed of at least two minerals having a conspicuous (large) difference in grain
size. The larger the grains are termed phenocrysts and the finer grains are either
matrix or groundmass.
Examples: Andesite.

Glassy
Non-crystalline where the rock contains no mineral grains. Examples: Obsidian

Vesicular
Refers to vesicles (holes, pores or cavities) within the igneous rock. Vesicles result of
gas expansion (bubbles) often occurs during volcanic eruption.
Examples: Pumice,Scoria

Fragmental
Comprised numerous grains or fragments that have been welded together by the heat
of volcanic eruption.
Example: Tuff

CONCLUSION

Igneous rocks can be recognize, identified and observed distinguishing features of

igneous rock specimen. The outstanding characteristics of igneous rocks itself proof
positive that the rock belongs to a certain class.