វិទ្យាស្ថានបច្ចេកវិទ្យាកម្ពជា

Institute of Technology of Cambodia

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Department of Transport and Infrastructure

Specialty : Geology
Lecturer : Mr. Heng Ratha
Topic : Igneous Rock
Student & ID’s : VUTH Chhengkorng e20211288

Academic year : 2023-2024

Institute of Technology of Cambodia Geology (2023-2024)

Table of Contents
I. History ............................................................................................................................... 1
1. What are Igneous Rocks?.............................................................................................. 1
2. How are the Igneous Rocks forms? .............................................................................. 1
II. Classification ..................................................................................................................... 2
1. Classification By Mineral Abundance ......................................................................... 3
a. Intrusive igneous rock ................................................................................................ 3
b. Extrusive igneous rock ............................................................................................ 5
2. Classification by Grain Size .......................................................................................... 6
III. Applications of Igneous Rock ....................................................................................... 7
a) Buildings and statues ..................................................................................................... 7
b) Construction usages .................................................................................................... 8
c) Other usages ................................................................................................................... 9
d) Advantages of using igneous rocks in engineering ...................................................... 9
e) Limitations and Challenges of using igneous rocks.................................................... 10
References .............................................................................................................................. 11
Institute of Technology of Cambodia Geology (2023-2024)

Igneous Rock
I. History

1. What are Igneous Rocks?

Igneous rocks (from the Latin word for fire) form when hot, molten rock crystallizes and solidifies.
The melt originates deep within the Earth near active plate boundaries or hot spots, then rises toward the
surface. Igneous rocks are divided into two groups, intrusive or extrusive, depending upon where the
molten rock solidifies.

2. How are the Igneous Rocks forms?

• Igneous rocks constitute one of the three principal classes of rocks, the others being metamorphic
and sedimentary. Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of magma, which is a hot (600
to 1,300 °C, or 1,100 to 2,400 °F) molten or partially molten rock material. Earth is composed
predominantly of a large mass of igneous rock with a very thin veneer of weathered material—
namely, sedimentary rock. Whereas sedimentary rocks are produced by processes operating
mainly at Earth’s surface by the disintegration of mostly older igneous rocks, igneous—and
metamorphic—rocks are formed by internal processes that cannot be directly observed and that
necessitate the use of physical-chemical arguments to deduce their origins. Because of the high
temperatures within Earth, the principles of chemical equilibrium are applicable to the study of

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igneous and metamorphic rocks, with the latter being restricted to those rocks formed without the
direct involvement of magma.

How are the igneous rock form

II. Classification
These rocks don't even look like they're the same type! They are, at least in the same way that fish
and mice are both vertebrates. They both cooled from magma, but the similarities end there. Igneous
rocks cool from magma. The composition of the magma determines the appearance of the rock. It is
also determined by the rate that the magma cools. If the magma cools deep underground, it cools
slowly. If the magma cools at or very near the surface, it cools quickly. This results in two different
rock types. The rock types can be told apart by the size of their crystals. The size of the crystals
creates the texture of the rock. The igneous rock has 2 types like Intrusive and Extrusive. Intrusive is
crystallize below Earth's surface, and the slow cooling that occurs there allows large crystals to form.
Extrusive is crystallize below Earth's surface, and the slow cooling that occurs there allows large
crystals to form.

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1. Classification By Mineral Abundance

Igneous rocks can be divided into four categories based on their chemical composition: felsic,
intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic.

a. Intrusive igneous rock

Intrusive igneous rocks of intrusive igneous rocks are:
- Granite: is a light-colored igneous rock with grains large enough to be visible with the
unaided eye. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface.

Granite: The specimen above is a typical granite. It is about two inches across.
- Diorite is the name used for a group of coarse-grained igneous rocks with a composition
between that of granite and basalt. It usually occurs as large intrusions, dikes, and sills
within continental crust. These often form above a convergent plate boundary where an
oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate.

Diorite: This specimen clearly shows the familiar "salt and pepper" appearance of diorite,
produced by white plagioclase contrasting with black hornblende and biotite.
- Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark-colored, intrusive igneous rock. It is usually black or
dark green in color and composed mainly of the mineral plagioclase and augite. It is the
most abundant rock in the deep oceanic crust. Gabbro has a variety of uses in the
construction industry. It is used for everything from crushed stone base materials at
construction sites to polished stone counter tops and floor tiles.

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Gabbro is a dark-colored coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock

- Peridotite is a generic name used for coarse-grained, dark-colored, ultramafic igneous

rocks. Peridotites usually contain olivine as their primary mineral, frequently with other
mafic minerals such as pyroxenes and amphiboles. Their silica content is low compared to
other igneous rocks, and they contain very little quartz and feldspar. Peridotites are
economically important rocks because they often contain chromite - the only ore of
chromium; they can be source rocks for diamonds; and, they have the potential to be used
as a material for sequestering carbon dioxide. Much of Earth's mantle is believed to be
composed of peridotite.
o Lherzolite: a peridotite composed primarily of olivine with significant amounts of
orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene. Some researchers believe that much of Earth's
mantle is composed of lherzolite.
o Harzburgite: a peridotite composed primarily of olivine and orthopyroxene with
small amounts of spinel and garnet.
o Dunite: a peridotite that is composed mainly of olivine and may contain significant
amounts of chromite, pyroxene, and spinel.
o Wehrlite: a peridotite that is composed mainly of orthopyroxene and
clinopyroxene, with olivine and hornblende.
o Kimberlite: a peridotite that is composed of at least 35% olivine with significant
amounts of other minerals that might include phlogopite, pyroxenes, carbonates,
serpentine, diopside, monticellite, and garnet. Kimberlite sometimes contains
diamonds.

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b. Extrusive igneous rock

Extrusive rock of intrusive igneous rocks are:
- Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock with a very high silica content. It is usually pink or
gray in color with grains so small that they are difficult to observe without a hand lens.
Rhyolite is made up of quartz, plagioclase, and sanidine, with minor amounts of
hornblende and biotite. Trapped gases often produce vugs in the rock. These often contain
crystals, opal, or glassy material.

Rhyolite: A pink specimen of rhyolite with numerous very tiny vugs with some evidence
of flow structures. The specimen shown here is about two inches across

- Andesite: often weathers to various shades of brown. In the field, weathered specimens
must be broken to properly see their color and their mineral composition. Classroom
specimens usually do not require breakage. Andesite is rich in plagioclase feldspar and
amphibole minerals. Quartz and pyroxene minerals may be absent or present in small
quantities. Small amounts of mica will be present as biotite or muscovite. Andesite usually
does not contain olivine. The accompanying chart titled "Generalized Composition Ranges
of Common Igneous Rocks" illustrates the mineral composition of andesite.

Andesite: The specimen shown is about two inches (five centimeters) across and has a
porphyritic texture.

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- Basalt: is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase and

pyroxene minerals. It most commonly forms as an extrusive rock, such as a lava flow, but
can also form in small intrusive bodies, such as an igneous dike or a thin sill. It has a
composition similar to gabbro. The difference between basalt and gabbro is that basalt is a
fine-grained rock while gabbro is a coarse-grained rock.

Basalt: A fine-grained igneous rock that is usually black in color. The specimen shown is
about two inches (five centimeters) across.

2. Classification by Grain Size

The name an igneous rock gets also depends on whether it cools within Earth (an intrusive
or plutonic igneous rock), or whether it cools on the Earth’s surface after erupting from a volcano
(an extrusive or volcanic igneous rock). For example, a felsic intrusive rock is called granite,
whereas a felsic extrusive rock is called rhyolite. Granite and rhyolite have the same mineral
composition, but their grain size gives each a distinct appearance.

Three types of rock can be identified:

• Volcanic rocks: solidify close to the Earth's surface. Because they cool quickly, they have
a finer-grained matrix (called groundmass). They may contain some larger crystals that
formed earlier further down (called phenocrysts).

• Hypabyssal or subvolcanic rocks: form at intermediate depths (generally as dykes and

sills) and so tend to be medium-grained.

• Plutonic rocks: form deeper within the Earth and the slower cooling allows them to
crystallise as coarse-grained rocks.

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Comparison of Intrusive and Extrusive Igneous Rocks

Magma cools within Earth Lava cools on Earth’s surface
Terminology Intrusive/ plutonic Extrusive/ volcanic
Cooling rate Slow: surrounding rocks insulate the Rapid: heat is exchanged with the
magma chamber. atmosphere.
Texture Phaneritic (coarse-grained): individual Aphanitic (fine-grained): crystals
crystals are large enough to see without are too small to see without
magnification. magnification.

III.Applications of Igneous Rock

a) Buildings and statues

Igneous rocks have a wide variety of uses. One important use is as stone for buildings and statues.
Diorite was used extensively by ancient civilizations for vases and other decorative artwork and is
still used for art today (Figure 1)

Figure 1. This diorite statue was made in approximately 2090 BC.

Granite (figure 2) is used both in building construction and for statues. It is also a popular choice
for kitchen countertops. Peridotite is sometimes mined for peridot, a type of olivine that is used in
jewelry. Pumice is commonly used as an abrasive. Pumice is used to smooth skin or scrape up
grime around the house. When pumice is placed into giant washing machines with newly
manufactured jeans and tumbled, the result is “stone-washed” jeans. Ground up pumice stone is
sometimes added to toothpaste to act as an abrasive material to scrub teeth.

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Figure 2. Granite is an igneous rock used commonly in statues and building materials.

Mount Rushmore: Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, South Dakota is a sculpture of United States
presidents George Washington

b) Construction usages
Crushed stone is the most basic use of granite. Crushed granite is used as a subbase and base material
in road and highway construction. It is used as crushed stone media in sewage system drain fields and
as a base material for foundations and construction slabs. Crushed granite in attractive colors is used
as a landscape stone and in planters. It also makes great railroad ballast, and in larger sizes it makes
good riprap.

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Granite Building Stone

Usage in road construction

c) Other usages

d) Advantages of using igneous rocks in engineering

Igneous rocks offer a range of advantages that make them highly valuable in engineering
applications. Their exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to weathering and erosion make them
ideal for use in various construction projects, from foundations and roadways to coastal structures.
Additionally, the unique properties of extrusive igneous rocks, such as their thermal insulation and glass-
like properties, expand their applications in specialized engineering fields.
1. Strength and Durability: Igneous rocks, particularly intrusive varieties, are renowned for their high
compressive strength and resistance to weathering, making them ideal for use in load-bearing
structures and exposed environments.
2. Wear Resistance: The fine-grained texture and high abrasion resistance of extrusive igneous rocks,
such as basalt, make them well-suited for use in high traffic areas, such as roads and pavements.

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3. Versatility: The diverse range of igneous rock types, each with their unique properties, allows
engineers to select the most appropriate material for a wide variety of engineering applications, from
construction to specialized industrial uses.

e) Limitations and Challenges of using igneous rocks

While igneous rocks offer numerous advantages, they also present some limitations and challenges in
engineering applications. The inherent variability in the composition and structure of igneous rocks can
make it difficult to predict their exact performance, and the energy-intensive quarrying and processing
required can increase the environmental impact and cost of their use. Additionally, the high density of some
igneous rocks, such as gabbro, can pose logistical challenges in transportation and handling.
Limitation Challenge
Energy-intensive quarrying and processing Increased environmental impact and cost
Logistical challenges in transportation and
High density of some igneous rocks
handling
Difficulty in predicting exact performance
Variability in composition and structure
characteristics

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References
1. Geology and earth science news, articles, photos, maps and more. https://geology.com/
2. Geology 101 for Lehman College (CUNY). https://pressbooks.cuny.edu/gorokhovich/front-
matter/198/
3. The Australian Museum, Shaping the Earth. https://australian.museum/learn/minerals/shaping-
earth/
4. Igneous rock | Characteristics, Examples, Formation, & Types.
https://www.britannica.com/science/igneous-rock
5. Kudo, A. M., & Jahns, R. H. (2024, May 3). Igneous rock | Characteristics, Examples, Formation, &

Types. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/igneous-rock

6. CK-12 Foundation. (n.d.). CK-12 Foundation. https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-

school-earth-science-flexbook-2.0/section/4.8/primary/lesson/intrusive-and-extrusive-igneous-rocks-

ms-es/

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