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The first thing one would look at is if there are minerals present that are large enough to either be identified with the naked eye or with a handlense. Most lavas have large volumes of extremely finegrained material or glass whereas plutonic rocks that mostly crystallize in depths of several kilometers are usually composed of millimeter sized minerals. Further differentiation of ejecta can be done like (ash, lapilli, volcanic bombs, pahoehoe-lava etc.).

One can then look at the mineralogical composition of these rocks to define whether they are basic (little silicon) like basalts/gabbros or acid (a lot of silicon) like rhyolites/granites. The usual classification is the QAPF-diagram (quarz, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, feldspathoid), which is composed of two ternary diagrams. If quarz is present the ternary diagram including quarz is used, otherwise the one with an feldspathoid endmember is chosen for classification.

This field description is then usually followed by a series of lab analyses of the chemical and isotopic composition of the rock in order to be classified via their elemental composition. One example is the TAS-diagram (total alkali elements versus silicon dioxide content).

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What would not be used to classify igneous rocks?

Color, as it is not a reliable indicator due to variations within the same type of rock. Texture, mineral composition, and formation conditions are typically used to classify igneous rocks.


What is the chemical property used to classify igneous rocks?

The chemical property used to classify igneous rocks is their mineral composition, specifically the type and relative abundance of minerals present in the rock. This information helps geologists differentiate between different types of igneous rocks, such as basalt, granite, and rhyolite.


What chemical property is most commonly used to classify igneous rock?

The mineral composition (silica content) is the chemical property most commonly used to classify igneous rocks. This can help differentiate between different types of igneous rocks, such as basalt, andesite, and granite.


What characteristics make igneous rocks useful?

Igneous rocks are useful because they provide information about Earth's history, such as how they were formed and the conditions of their formation. They also contain valuable resources like metals and minerals. Additionally, igneous rocks are used in construction materials and as decorative stones.


One of the two items used to classify igneous rocks?

Texture and mineral composition are the two main items used to classify igneous rocks. Texture refers to the size and arrangement of mineral grains, while mineral composition refers to the types of minerals present in the rock.

Related Questions

What characteristics are used to classify igneous rocks?

Intrusive and extrusive factors of an igneous rock classify them. The other factors are if they are vesicular, coarse, fine grained, glassy, or very coarse


What three things are used to classify igneous rocks?

Color and texture is one way to classify igneous rocks. Another way to do this is modal classification and normative classification.


What would not be used to classify igneous rocks?

Color, as it is not a reliable indicator due to variations within the same type of rock. Texture, mineral composition, and formation conditions are typically used to classify igneous rocks.


What is the chemical property used to classify igneous rocks?

The chemical property used to classify igneous rocks is their mineral composition, specifically the type and relative abundance of minerals present in the rock. This information helps geologists differentiate between different types of igneous rocks, such as basalt, granite, and rhyolite.


What to characteristics can be used to divide igneous rocks into groups?

i have no clue!


What chemical property is most commonly used to classify igneous rock?

The mineral composition (silica content) is the chemical property most commonly used to classify igneous rocks. This can help differentiate between different types of igneous rocks, such as basalt, andesite, and granite.


What chemical product is most commonly used to classify igneous rocks?

This substance is silicon dioxide.


Do scientists classify rocks by their color?

yes,either felsic if light coloured or mafic if dark cloured.we classify rocks like that especially igneous rocks but COLOR IS NEVER USED TO IDENTIFY ANY ROCK.only classification.


What do you use Igneous rocks for?

igneous rocks are used for blilding and for long lasting moument.


What is extrusive igneous rocks used for?

Extrusive igneous rocks i think are used for carving and awesome things like that!


What characteristics make igneous rocks useful?

Igneous rocks are useful because they provide information about Earth's history, such as how they were formed and the conditions of their formation. They also contain valuable resources like metals and minerals. Additionally, igneous rocks are used in construction materials and as decorative stones.


One of the two items used to classify igneous rocks?

Texture and mineral composition are the two main items used to classify igneous rocks. Texture refers to the size and arrangement of mineral grains, while mineral composition refers to the types of minerals present in the rock.