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Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Rocks

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 BGYCL - 136
PETROLOGY:
,QGLUD*DQGKL1DWLRQDO2SHQ8QLYHUVLW\
6FKRRORI6FLHQFHV LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT 1
Megascopic Study of Common Felsic Igneous Rocks 9
EXPERIMENT 2
Megascopic Study of Common Intermediate Igneous Rocks 27
EXPERIMENT 3
Megascopic Study of Common Mafic Igneous Rocks 41
EXPERIMENT 4
Megascopic Study of Common Ultramafic Igneous Rocks 53
EXPERIMENT 5
Microscopic Study of Common Felsic and Intermediate Rocks 63
EXPERIMENT 6
Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Rocks 85
EXPERIMENT 7
Megascopic Study of Common Sedimentary Rocks 101
EXPERIMENT 8
Microscopic Study of Common Sedimentary Rocks 129
EXPERIMENT 9
Megascopic Study of Common Metamorphic Rocks 163
EXPERIMENT 10
Microscopic Study of Common Metamorphic Rocks 183
EXPERIMENT 11
Compulsory Field Training and Preparation of Report 209
Course Design Committee
Prof. Vijayshri
Former Director
School of Sciences
IGNOU, New Delhi
Prof. V. K. Verma (Retd.)
Department of Geology
University of Delhi,
Delhi
Late Prof. Pramendra Dev
School of Studies in Earth Sciences
Vikram University
Ujjain, MP
Prof. P.Madhusudhana Reddy
Department of Geology
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University
Hyderabad
Late Prof. G. Vallinayagam
Department of Geology
Kurukshetra University
Kurukshetra, Haryana
Prof. J. P. Shrivastava (Retd.)
Centre of Advanced Study in Geology
University of Delhi, Delhi
Prof. M. A. Malik (Retd.)
Department of Geology
University of Jammu
Jammu, J & K
Prof. D. C. Srivastava
Department of Earth Science
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Roorkee, Uttarkhand
Prof. L. S. Chamyal
Department of Geology
M.S.University of Baroda
Vadodara, Gujarat
Prof. H. B. Srivastava
Centre of Advanced Study in Geology
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi, UP
Prof. Arun Kumar
Department of Earth Sciences
Manipur University
Imphal, Manipur
Prof. (Mrs.) Madhumita Das
Department of Geology
Utkal University
Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
Prof. K. R. Hari
School of Studies in Geology &
Water Resources Management
Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University
Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Prof. S.J. Sangode
Department of Geology
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Pune, Maharashtra
Dr. K. Anbarasu
Department of Geology
National College
Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu
Faculty of Geology Discipline
School of Sciences, IGNOU
Prof. Meenal Mishra
Prof. Benidhar Deshmukh
Dr. M. Prashanth
Dr. Kakoli Gogoi
Dr. Omkar Verma

Course Preparation Team

Course Contributors
Prof. Meenal Mishra (Experiments 1 to 6) Prof. Divya Prakash (Experiments 9 &10)
School of Sciences, IGNOU, New Delhi Centre of Advanced Study in Geology
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP
Prof. R. N. Tiwari (Retd.) (Experiments 7 & 8)
Centre of Advanced Study in Geology Content and Language Editor
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP Prof. J. P. Shrivastava (Retd.)
Centre of Advanced Study in Geology
Dr. Omkar Verma (Experiment 11) University of Delhi, Delhi
School of Sciences, IGNOU, New Delhi
Transformation: Dr. Kakoli Gogoi (Experiments 1 to 6)
Prof. Meenal Mishra (Experiments 7 to 11)
Course Coordinators: Dr. Kakoli Gogoi and Prof. Meenal Mishra
Audio Visual Materials
Dr. Amitosh Dubey Prof. Meenal Mishra
Producer, EMPC, IGNOU Content Coordinator
Print Production
Mr. Rajiv Girdhar Mr. Sunil Kumar Mr. Hemant Kumar
A.R. (Pub.), MPDD, IGNOU A.R. (Pub.), MPDD, IGNOU S.O. (Pub.), MPDD, IGNOU
Acknowledgement: Ms. Savita Sharma for preparation of some of the figures.
December, 2020
© Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2020
ISBN: 978-93-90496-28-0
Disclaimer: Any material adapted from web-based resources or any other sources in this block are being used only
for educational purposes only and not for commercial purposes and their copyrights rest with the original authors. All
rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without
permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Further information on the Indira Gandhi National Open University courses may be obtained from the
University’s office at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110 068 or the official website of IGNOU at www.ignou.ac.in.
Printed and Published on behalf of Indira Gandhi National Open Universiy, New Delhi by the Registrar,
MPDD, IGNOU.
Printed at: S G Print Packs Pvt. Ltd., F-478, Sector-63, NOIDA - 201301, UP
 EXPERIMENT 6

MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF
COMMON MAFIC AND
ULTRAMAFIC IGNEOUS ROCKS

Structure_____________________________________________
6.1 Introduction 6.5 Hypabyssal and Volcanic Rocks
Expected Learning Skills Dolerite
6.2 Requirements Basalt
6.3 Basic Concepts 6.6 Laboratory Exercises
6.4 Plutonic Rocks 6.7 References
Gabbro 6.8 Learning Resources
Peridotite
Dunite

6.1 INTRODUCTION
Earlier, you have identified the megascopic characters of mafic rocks in Experiment 3 and
ultramafic rocks in Experiment 4. Now, in this experiment you will learn to identify mineralogy and
texture of these rocks using polarising microscope for the rocks you had already identified in the
hand specimens. Experiment 6 will help identify mineralogy and texture of mafic and ultramafic
rocks. You will study gabbro (mafic), dunite and peridotite (ultramafic) that are plutonic or intrusive
rocks. Also, you will learn to recognise volcanic and hypabyssal mafic rocks, basalt and dolerite
respectively. You will find that there are considerable textural differences in the igneous rocks with
same mineralogical composition (such as gabbro, dolerite and basalt) because of their common
mode of occurrence.
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
…………………………………………………………………………....…………………….….............….…....

Expected Learning Skills______________________

After performing this experiment, you should be able to:
™ identify mineralogical composition of mafic rocks such as gabbro, dolerite
and basalt;
™ recognise textural and interrelationship between gabbro, dolerite and
basalt;
™ find out the textural characters of ultramafic rocks such as dunite and
peridotite; and
™ identify mineralogical composition of ultramafic rocks such as dunite and
peridotite.

6.2 REQUIREMENTS
To perform this experiment successfully, following requirements are necessary:
x Polarising microscope with light source.
x Thin sections of gabbro, dolerite, basalt, peridotite and dunite.
x Pen, pencil, eraser, scale, sharpener, colour pencils and drawing compass.
x Laboratory file.
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SHUIRUPLQJWKLVH[SHULPHQW%ULQJWKLVSUDFWLFDOPDQXDODORQJZLWK%ORFN
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You have read in Block 3 of BGYCT-133 course that the optical properties help
in mineral identification. These minerals show some important optical properties
that help in identification of rocks because rock comprises of mineral
aggregates. In this experiment, you have to use your knowledge and
experience related to optical properties of rock-forming minerals in identification
of rocks in thin sections.
How to write experiment in your laboratory file:
We have already instructed you to follow these instructions in the previous
experiment. Recall the following steps:
1. Draw a circle using drawing compass in your laboratory file in order to
describe petrographic characteristics of the rock in thin sections which you
will observe under the microscope.
2. Divide the circle (drawn by you) into two equal halves (as shown in Fig. 6.1)
3. You will draw sketches based on petrographic characters of the rock as
seen under the plane polarised light (abbreviated as PPL) In one half of the
circle.
4. In the other half of the circle, you will draw sketches based on observed
petrographic characters of the rock observed between the cross nicols or
crossed polars (abbreviated as XP).

86
Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
5. You have studied that the rock is an aggregate of minerals. Therefore, the
knowledge of the optical properties of rock forming minerals (which you had
learnt to identify in Experiments 7 and 8 of BGYCL-134 course) will help you
in microscopic study of rocks.
6. You have to write the petrographic characters as observed in the given
thin section and describe as given in Table 6.1 in your laboratory note
book.
7. Make use of the coloured pencils to represent colour(s) of the minerals as
seen in the rock thin sections.
You are instructed to draw sketch showing petrographic characteristics of
the rock as observed under the plane polarised light in one half of the
circle and crossed polars/cross nicols in another half as shown on Figure
6.1.

Fig. 6.1: Circle representing field of view as observed under the petrological
microscope under plane polarised light (PPL) and between cross
nicols/crossed polars (XP).

After writing about the observed petrographic characters of the rock and making
their sketches both under plane polarised light and crossed nicols, you will have
to mention the diagnostic characters of the rock as observed in your laboratory
file.

6.3 BASIC CONCEPTS

You are repeatedly being instructed that your knowledge of recognising
minerals acquired from BGYCT-133 and BGYCL-134 courses will be helpful in
the experiments related to microscopic study of rocks. It is utmost important
that the optical properties of the minerals present in the rock should be
observed and identified carefully. Note that it is not necessary that all the
accessory minerals discussed in tables will be present in the thin section
provided to you at the study centre. You have to document the following
microscopic characters as given in Table 6.1 in your laboratory file. We had
discussed these microscopic characters in in the previous experiments also.

87
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
…………………………………………………………………………....…………………….….............….…....
You are instructed to refer to Section 5.3 of previous Experiment 5 for reading
their details.
Table 6.1: Microscopic Characters of ……………….
1. Texture:
x Crystallinity :
x Granularity :
x Shape of grains :
x Mutual relationship :
2. Mineral Composition:
x Essential :
x Accessory :
3. Diagnostic Character :
4. Inference/Name :

6.4 PLUTONIC ROCKS

In this section of plutonic rocks, you will identify gabbro which is a mafic rock.
Apart from this, two plutonic rocks such as dunite and peridotite from ultramafic
subgroup will be dealt.
6.4.1 Gabbro
Gabbro is a plutonic rock. It is holocrystalline with subhedral grains and shows
hypidiomorphic texture. Dolerite and basalt are hypabyssal and volcanic
equivalents of gabbro, respectively. Gabbro is a medium to coarse-grained rock
and contains several minerals which can be identified by unaided eyes or at low
magnification under the petrological microscope. Here, you will learn to identify
gabbro, comprising essential minerals such as augite (Cpx) and plagioclase.
Plagioclase in gabbro is calcium rich. Apart from this you will also learn to
identify olivine gabbro (a variant of gabbro). When olivine is one of the
dominant minerals present in the gabbro, the rock is said to be olivine gabbro.
Now, you will study gabbro under the polarising microscope. With the help of
microscopic characters given in the Table 6.2, you are advised to identify
gabbro in thin section (under the polarising microscope) provided to you at your
study centre. Gabbro in photomicrographs as viewed in polarising microscopic
both under plane polarised light (PPL) and cross nicol (XP) are given in Figures
6.2 and 6.3 and line diagrams/sketches (both under PPL and XP) in Figure 6.4.

Table 6.2: Microscopic Characters of Gabbro.

1. Texture:
x Crystallinity : Holocrystalline texture.
x Granularity : Medium-grained to coarse-grained, phaneritic.
x Shape of crystal : Most of the crystals are anhedral to euhedral.
Hypidiomorphic.

88
Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
x Mutual : Commonly equigranular, hypidiomorphic
relationship granular texture.
Rarely porphyritic.
May display ophitic and subophitic texture.
2. Mineral Composition:
x Essential : Augite (pale green to dark green, slightly
pleochroic, 2 set of cleavages intersecting
at an angle of ~ 88o, oblique extinction 36o-
45o, second order interference colours).
Ca-rich Plagioclase (colourless, laths shape
subhedral form, low relief, displays first order
interference colours and oblique extinction and
typical polysynthetic twinning).
x Accessory : Olivine (colourless, high relief, polygonal cracks,
cleavage absent, parallel extinction and bright
second to third order interference colours).
Hypersthene (colourless or pale pink to green,
strongly pleochroic, cleavage at 88o to 90o,
parallel extinction, middle second order
interference colours).
Hornblende (light green to dark green colour,
strongly pleochroic, 2 sets of cleavages
intersecting at an angle of 56o and 124o,
inclined extinction at 12o).
Zircon, titanite, apatite, tourmaline and
magnetite, garnet (hexagonal outline, high
relief and isotropic).
Opaques (remain dark both under PPL and XP).
3. Diagnostic : Distinct mineralogy, grain size, equigranular
Character texture and hypidiomorphic granular texture.
4. Inference/Name : GABBRO

Fig. 6.2: Photomicrograph of gabbro showing equigranular texture. Laths of

plagioclase (Plag) and augite (Aug) displaying interlocking texture.
(Source: http://minerva.union.edu/hollochk/c_petrology/ig_minerals.htm)
89
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
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Olivine basalt: In thin section of a gabbro, when olivine forms a dominant
mineral phase (along with the augite and plagioclase), the rock is said to be
olivine gabbro (Fig. 6.3). The texture as mentioned in Table 6.2 is same.

Fig. 6.3: Photomicrograph of olivine gabbro showing equigranular texture. Laths

of plagioclase (Plag), euhedral grains of olivine (Ol) with cracks and
augite (Aug) displaying interlocking texture. (Source: http://minerva.union.
edu/hollochk/c_petrology/ig_minerals.htm)

Fig. 6.4: Gabbro: sketch of the field of view under the polarising microscope
under the PPL and XP.

6.4.2 Peridotite
Peridotite is a coarse-grained, dark green to black rock with high specific
gravity. Peridotite represents a group of ultramafic rocks, which contains > 40%
magnesium rich olivine (forsterite), pyroxenes (both clino- and ortho-
pyroxenes) and hornblende. Accessory minerals include: garnet, spinel,
plagioclase, ilmenite, chromite and magnetite. Microscopically, peridotite is one
of the most colourful rocks when viewed under the cross nicol condition. It
contains lot of olivine grains which show second to third order blue-red
interference colours. With the help of microscopic characters given in the Table
6.3, you are advised to identify peridotite in thin section (under the polarising
90
Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
microscope) provided to you at your study centre. Peridotite in
photomicrographs as viewed in polarising microscopic both under plane
polarised light (PPL) and cross nicol (XP) are given in Figure 6.5 and line
diagrams/sketches (both under PPL and XP) in Figure 6.6.

Table 6.3: Microscopic Characters of Peridotite.

1. Texture:

x Crystallinity : Holocrystalline texture.

x Granularity : Coarse-grained, phaneritic.

x Shape of : Most of the crystals are anhedral to subhedral

crystal hypidiomorphic.

x Mutual : Equigranular, hypidiomorphic texture, prismatic

relationship augite crystals.

2. Mineral composition:

x Essential : Olivine (colourless, high relief, polygonal cracks,

cleavage absent, parallel extinction and second-
third order bright blue-red interference colours).
Cpx- Augite (pale green to dark green, slightly
pleochroic, 2 sets of cleavages intersecting at an
angle of ~ 88o, oblique extinction 36o-45o, second
order interference colours).
Hypersthene (colourless or pale pink to green,
strongly pleochroic, cleavages at 88o, parallel
extinction, middle second order interference
colours).

x Accessory : Hornblende (light green to dark green, strongly

pleochroic, 2 sets of cleavages at 56o and 124o).
Zircon, titanite, apatite, tourmaline, magnetite,
garnet (high relief and isotropic) and opaques
(remain dark both under PPL and XP).
Plagioclase (colourless, laths showing subhedral
form, low relief, displays first order interference
colours, oblique extinction and typical polysynthetic
twinning).
Garnet (high relief, euhedral, light pink colour,
cleavage absent, isotropic).
Spinel (brown colour under PPL).

3. Diagnostic : Distinct mineralogy, equigranular and

Character hypidiomorphic.

4. Inference/Name : PERIDOTITE

91
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
…………………………………………………………………………....…………………….….............….…....

Fig. 6.5: Photomicrograph of peridotite hypidiomorphic texture. Big grain of

olivine (Ol) encloses small prismatic crystals of altered augite (Aug).

Fig. 6.6: Peridotite: sketch of the field of view under the polarising microscope
under PPL and XP.

6.4.3 Dunite
You have identified peridotite in the previous section. Now you will recognise
dunite in this section. It is a monomineralic rock with >90% olivine which shows
bright green colour. Olivine in dunite alters to form serpentine. You are advised
to identify dunite in thin section provided to you at your study centre with the
help microscopic characters given in the Table 6.4. Dunite in photomicrographs
as viewed under the polarising microscopic in plane polarised light (PPL)
and cross nicol (XP) conditions and given in Figure 6.7 and line diagram/sketch
(both under PPL and XP) in Figure 6.8.
Table 6.4: Microscopic Characters of Dunite.
1. Texture:
x Crystallinity : Holocrystalline.
x Granularity : Medium-grained to coarse-grained,
phaneritic.
x Shape of crystal : Most of the crystals are anhedral to euhedral.

92
Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
Hypidiomorphic.
x Mutual relationship : Commonly equigranular, hypidiomorphic
granular texture.
2. Mineral Composition:
x Essential : Olivine (colourless, high relief, polygonal
cracks, cleavage indistinct, parallel extinction
and second-third order bright blue-red
interference colours).
x Accessory : Cpx, Opx, amphibole, garnet, spinel,
magnetite.
Along the cracks, olivine undergoes alteration
to serpentine; a secondary mineral.
3. Diagnostic Character : Distinct mineralogy, equigranular and
hypidiomorphic granular texture.
4. Inference/Name : DUNITE

Fig. 6.7: Photomicrograph of dunite. Olivine (Ol) crystals undergo alteration and
forms serpentine (Serp) preferably along the cracks. (Photo credit: Dr.
Amit Kumar)

Fig. 6.8: Dunite: sketch of the field of view under the polarising microscope under
PPL and XP.

93
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
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6.5 HYPABYSSAL AND VOLCANIC ROCKS

In this section you will identify volcanic and hypabyssal rocks from mafic
subgroup. We have not taken any example from ultramafic category because
after the Archean Period we do not get volcanic equivalent of ultramafic rock.
Komatiite is an example. In this section you will identify dolerite and basalt.
6.5.1 Dolerite
Dolerite is a dark coloured mafic, holocrystalline, hypabyssal rock.
Compositionally, it is equivalent to gabbro and basalt. Texturally, it falls
between the categories of gabbro and basalt, as it is finer than gabbro, but
coarser than the basalt. Ophitic and subophitic textures are common in the
dolerite. Variety of dolerite formed by rapid cooling of magma show porphyritic
texture with phenocrysts of plagioclase and pyroxene and sometimes olivine.
Now you will identify dolerite. You are advised to identify dolerite in thin
sections provided to you at your study centre with the help of microscopic
characters given in the Table 6.5. Photomicrographs obtained from the dolerite
as viewed under the polarising microscopic both in plane polarised light
(PPL) and cross nicols (XP) are given in Figure 6.9. The line diagram/sketch of
a dolerite (both under PPL and XP) is also shown in Figure 6.10.

Fig. 6.9: Photomicrographs of dolerite showing ophitic texture. Large augite (aug)
crystal encloses plagioclase (plag) laths. (Source: http://minerva.union.
edu/hollochk/c_petrology/ig_minerals.htm)

Table 6.5: Microscopic Characters of Dolorite.

1. Texture:

x Crystallinity : Hemicrystalline.

x Granularity : Fine to medium-grained, mostly phyric.

x Shape of crystal : Subhedral to anhedral.

x Mutual relationship : Inequigranular, ophitic - a variety of

porphyritic texture, where two distinctive
sizes of mineral grains are present. Large
size crystals embedded in a fine-grained
groundmass of the same mineral.

94
Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
Commonly shows ophitic texture, where
plagioclase laths are embedded within
anhedral to subhedral pyroxene/augite
grains. In subophitic texture plagioclase are
partly enclosed by augite grain. May show
intersertal, intergranular and
microporphyritic texture.

2. Mineral Composition:

x Essential : Augite (light green colour, slightly

pleochroic, 2 sets of cleavages intersecting
at 88o, oblique/inclined extinction 36o - 45o,
second order interference colours).
Ca rich plagioclase (colourless, lath-shape
showing subhedral form, low relief, displays
first order interference colours, oblique
extinction and typical polysynthetic
twinning).

x Accessory : Hornblende, Opx and opaque minerals iron

oxides.

3. Diagnostic Character : Grain size, mineralogy, ophitic and

subophitic texture.

4. Inference/Name : DOLERITE

Fig. 6.10: Dolerite: sketch of the field of view under the polarising microscope
under PPL and XP.

6.5.2 Basalt
Basalt is the most abundant volcanic rock on the Earth’s surface and comprises
>90% of all the volcanic rocks. You have read about this in Unit 7 of BGYCT-
135 course. Basalt is essentially composed of calcic plagioclase and pyroxenes
(mostly augite) with or without olivine. However, basalt is so fine-grained and it
is difficult to identify many minerals with unaided eyes, except for a few
95
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
…………………………………………………………………………....…………………….….............….…....
phenocrysts. Basalt also contains hornblende, hypersthene, feldspathoid and
rarely minor amount of quartz and biotite. You are advised to identify basalt in
thin sections provided to you at your study centre with the help of microscopic
characters given in the Table 6.6. Photomicrographs of the basalt as viewed
under the polarising microscope both under plane polarised light (PPL) and
cross nicols (XP) are given in Figure 6.11 and 6.12. The line diagrams/sketches
(both under PPL and XP) are also shown in Figure 6.13.

Fig. 6.11: Fine-grained basalt displaying intergranular texture. The spaces

between lath shaped plagioclase (Plag) occupied by augite (Aug). (Photo
credit: Dr. Amit Kumar)

Fig. 6.12: a) Phenocryst of clustered plagioclase (Plag) in a fine-grained

groundmass displaying intergranular texture; and b) Large crystal of
augite (Aug) encloses laths of plagioclase (Plag) displaying ophitic
texture. (Photo credit: Dr. Amit Kumar)

Fig. 6.13: Basalt: sketches of the field of view under the polarising microscope
under PPL and XP.
96
Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
Table 6.6: Microscopic Characters of Basalt.
1. Texture:
x Crystallinity : Hemicrystalline.
x Granularity : Fine to very fine-grained to glassy, mostly aphyric.
x Shape of : Subhedral to anhedral, hypidiomorphic.
crystal
x Mutual : Commonly equigranular.
relationship
Inequigranular showing porphyritic texture (Fig.
6.11) or ophitic texture (Fig. 6.12b).
Glomeroporphyritic texture is one of the most
common porphyritic textures. Plagioclase occurs
as cluster of phenocryst and forms
glomeroporphyritic texture (Fig. 6.12a).
2. Mineral Composition:
x Essential : Augite (light green colour, slightly pleochroic, 2
sets of cleavages intersecting at an angle of ~ 88o,
oblique/inclined extinction 36o- 45o, second order
interference colours).
Ca rich Plagioclase (colourless, laths showing
subhedral form, low relief, displays first order
interference colours, oblique extinction and typical
polysynthetic twinning).
x Accessory : Olivine (colourless, high relief, polygonal cracks,
cleavages indistinct, parallel extinction and bright
second order interference colours).
Hypersthene (colourless or pale pink to green,
strongly pleochroic, two sets of cleavages
intersecting almost ~90o, parallel extinction, middle
second order interference colours).
Hornblende (light green to dark green colour,
strongly pleochroic, 2 sets of cleavages
intersecting at anagle of 56o and 124o, zircon,
titanite and magnetite, garnet (high relief and
isotropic) opaques (remain dark both under PPL
and XP).
3. Diagnostic : Grain size, mineralogy. You can find intergranular,
Character intersertal, porphyritic and ophitic textures.
4. Inference/Name : BASALT

6.6 LABORATORY EXERCISES

Study the petrographic characters of five common rocks-gabbro, peridotite,
dunite, dolerite and basalt by following the instructions given below:

97
BGYCL-136 Petrology: Laboratory
…………………………………………………………………………....…………………….….............….…....
1. Get a polarising microscope and thin sections of rocks from your counsellor.
2. Make all the necessary adjustments of the microscope and make sure that
light source is working properly and illuminating the field view of the
microscope.
3. Please do not disturb the centering of the microscope.
4. Place the thin section of a rock on the rotatable stage of the microscope.
5. Study the optical properties of minerals constituting the rock under plane
polarised light. Observe their colour, relief, pleochroism, cleavage,
habit/form.
6. Rotate the stage of the microscope and see whether minerals are
pleochroic.
7. Study the optical properties of minerals in the rock between crossed
nicols/crossed polars.
8. Rotate the stage of a microscope and see whether minerals are isotropic or
anisotropic.
9. If you face any problem during the examination of thin section of rocks in
the microscope, consult your counsellor.
10. Draw the sketches of the rock as observed in your laboratory file under
plane polarised light in one half and between crossed nicols in the other half
of the circle.
11. It is important for you to know that the photomicrographs and
sketches given in the text are for your understanding.
12. You are required to make observations of the rock thin sections given
to you both under plane polarised light and cross nicols.
13. Please do not copy the same sketches given in this experiment in the
laboratory file.
14. Handle the polarising microscope carefully and do not damage it.
15. If number of students is more and microscopes are less then you are
advised to work in groups.
Instructions: Make careful observations of the microscopic study of the
rock thin sections given to you. Document the observations made during
the study as per Table 6.1 and draw neat sketches as instructed in Section
6.2 under plane polarised light and between cross nicols. Give answers
of the following exercises in your laboratory file and submit it to your
Academic Counsellor.
Exercise 1: Identify gabbro under plane polarised light and cross nicols.
Mention its microscopic characters and draw a neat sketch.
Exercise 2: Identify peridotite under plane polarised light and cross nicols.
Mention its microscopic characters and draw a neat sketch.
Exercise 3: Identify dunite under plane polarised light and cross nicols. Mention
its microscopic characters and draw a neat sketch.

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Experiment 6 Microscopic Study of Common Mafic and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
…………………………………....……………………………………………………………….............….…......
Exercise 4: Recognise basalt under plane polarised light and cross nicols.
Mention its microscopic characters and draw a neat sketch.
Exercise 5: Identify dolerite under plane polarised light and cross nicols.
Mention its microscopic characters and draw a neat sketch.

6.7 REFERENCES
x Experiments 7 and 8 of the course BGYCL-134 Crystallography, Mineralogy
and Economic Geology: Laboratory.
x MacKenzie, W.S., Adams, A.E. and Brodie, K.H. (2017) Rocks and Minerals
in Thin Section Second Edition, CRC Press/Balkema, The Netherlands,
232p.
x Philpotts, A. R., (1989) Petrography of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks,
Prentice-Hall, N.J., 192 p.
x Shrivastava, J. P. (2009) NSDL (National Science Digital Library, CSIR, New
Delhi) http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1034CSIR
x Unit-9: Optical properties of Minerals of the course BGYCT-133
Crystallography, Mineralogy and Economic Geology.
x Unit-10: Optical Properties of Rock Forming Minerals of the course BGYCT-
133 Crystallography, Mineralogy and Economic Geology.
x Unit-2: Textures and Structures of Igneous Rocks of the course BGYCT-135
Petrology.
x Unit-7: Mafic and Ultramafic Rocks of the course BGYCT-135 Petrology.
x http://minerva.union.edu/hollochk/c_petrology/ig_minerals.htm
x http://www.earth.ox.ac.uk/~oesis/micro/
x www.gsi.gov.in
x www.users.monash.edu.au
(Websites accessed between 15th and 20th April 2020.)

6.8 LEARNING RESOURCES

x Gabbro thin section
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEHOdes-pXI
x Granite and basalt
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SS61JBTxOw
x Petrology
Link: https://swayam.gov.in/nd2_cec19_mm02/preview
x How to observe texture and composition to identify and name dunite and
peridotite igneous rock
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh9yAWuay78

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