Rock-forming minerals:

An overview

Dr. Arifudin Idrus

Department of Geological Engineering
Gadjah Mada University INDONESIA
E-mail address: arifidrus@ugm.ac.id

Introduction:
let back to basic concept!

What is a mineral?
naturally forming
inorganic
crystalline solid
known chemical composition
known physical properties

How do Minerals form?

Precipitation from a fluid like H2O or CO2.
This can take place within the earth by
hydrothermal processes, diagenesis, and
metamorphism, and at or near the Earth's
surface as a result of evaporation, weathering,
or biological activity.
Sublimation from a vapor. This process is
somewhat more rare, but can take place at a
volcanic vent, or deep in space where the
pressure is near vacuum.

 Crystallization from magma. This takes

place during crystallization of molten
rock (magma) either below or at the
Earth's surface.
Solid - Solid reactions. This process
involves minerals reacting with other
minerals in the solid state to produce
one or more new minerals. Such
processes take place during
metamorphism and diagenesis due to
changing temperature and pressure
conditions.

Composition of the Crust

The Earth's crust is made up of about 95%
igneous and metamorphic rocks, 4% shale,
0.75% sandstone, and 0.25% limestone.
The continental crust has an average
composition that approximates granodiorite (a
medium to siliceous igneous rock), whereas
the oceanic crust has an average composition
that is basaltic (a low silica igneous rock).

Average composition of the continental crust (Clarke

and Washington, 1924)

 Because of the average composition of

the crust, the most common minerals
found in the crust are silicates and
oxides.
Of the silicates, the aluminosilicates, like
the feldspars and clay minerals are the
most common.

 Other minerals, containing the other

elements in the periodic table are found
in the crust.
But, in order for these minerals to occur,
special geologic conditions are necessary
to concentrate these less abundant
elements so that they occur in high
enough concentrations to form a separate
mineral.
Elements that occur in concentrations less
than about 0.1% (usually measured in
parts per million or parts per billion) are
called dispersed elements or trace
elements.

Plate Tectonic Rock Genesis

1. Mid-ocean Ridges
2. Intracontinental Rifts
3. Island Arcs
4. Active Continental Margins

5. Back-arc Basins
6. Ocean Island Basalts
7. Miscellaneous IntraContinental Activity

kimberlites, carbonatites,
anorthosites...

Diagram of the Interior of

the Earth
Crust

0 to 40 km

0C

Upper Mantle

40 to 670 km
1,000C

Lower Mantle
670 to 2,890 km
2,000C

Outer Core

2,890 to 5,150 km
3,700C

Inner Core

5,150 to 6,370 km
4,300C

The Earths Interior

Crust:
Oceanic crust
Thin: 10 km
Relatively uniform stratigraphy
= ophiolite suite:

Sediments
pillow basalt
sheeted dikes
more massive gabbro
ultramafic (mantle)

Continental Crust
Thicker: 20-90 km average ~35 km
Highly variable composition
Average ~ granodiorite

The Earths Interior

Mantle:
Peridotite (ultramafic)
Upper to 410 km (olivine spinel)
Low Velocity Layer 60-220 km
Transition Zone as velocity increases ~ rapidly
410-660 km
spinel perovskite-type

SiIV SiVI

Lower Mantle has more gradual

velocity increase
Figure 1-2. Major subdivisions of the Earth.
Winter (2001) An Introduction to Igneous and
Metamorphic Petrology. Prentice Hall.

The Earths Interior

Core:
Fe-Ni metallic alloy
Outer Core is liquid

No S-waves

Inner Core is solid

Figure 1-2. Major subdivisions of the Earth.

Winter (2001) An Introduction to Igneous and
Metamorphic Petrology. Prentice Hall.

Figure 1-5. Relative atomic abundances of the seven most common elements
that comprise 97% of the Earth's mass. An Introduction to Igneous and
Metamorphic Petrology, by John Winter , Prentice Hall.

There
is a hierarchy
to the
Atoms
make up elements.
elements of Geology
Elements combine to form
the natural compounds.

Natural compounds and

elements combine to
form minerals.
Minerals make up rocks.
Rocks make up the Earth.

Atomic Theory proposes that all matter is

composed of the atoms of about 100 different
chemical elements. It further proposes that chemical
compounds are formed by the combination of the
atoms of different chemical elements.

Elements can be arranged, based on their

identifiable properties, into the Periodic Table

Na M
K gCa

Only

Al Si

Fe

eight elements make up over 98%

of the earths crust!

The identifiable characteristics of

Minerals are

naturally occurring inorganic elements or compounds

having an orderly internal structure
and a characteristic chemical composition,
composition
crystal form and
physical properties of a solid

Minerals combine to form Rocks

Rocks are made up of just one mineral like the sedimentary rock salt (made up of
Some

the mineral halite)

Rocks are made up of many

minerals - like the igneous rock granite
and the metamorphic rock gneiss.
Others

DEQ GLMD - The Rock Cycle in Michigan - February 2001