How to plot ternary diagrams

Ternary diagrams
Used to represent three variables
Very useful for geochemical and petrological
data
Often used as a means of classifying data and
rocks

Ternary Diagrams
Suppose we have a hypothetical rock with the following
hypothetical minerals:

P 23.2%
Q 25.2%
X 36%
Y 10.4%
Z 5.2%

Total 100%
Now suppose we want to
represent this rock just in terms
of the minerals X, Y & Z

How would we do this?
Ternary Diagrams
First, we would have to normalise our data to
just these three variables:

P 23.2%
Q 25.2%
X 36%
Y 10.4%
Z 5.2%

Total 100%

X 36
Y 10.4
Z 5.2

Total 51.6
So, we multiply each
by 100/51.6 = 1.94
X 70
Y 20
Z 10

Total 100
x 1.94 =
Ternary
There are two methods for plotting this data
on a ternary diagram..
Ternary Diagrams
Method 1

Use when ternary diagram
has grid lines

Each apex represents 100%
of that component

The horizontal lines opposite
each apex

Count up from 0% for each
component

E.G. 1,
A 40 %
B 50 %
C 10 %

Ternary Diagrams
Method 1

Use when ternary diagram
has grid lines

Each apex represents 100%
of that component

The horizontal lines opposite
each apex

Count up from 0% for each
component

E.G. 2,
X 70 %
Y 20 %
Z 10 %

Ternary Diagrams
Method 1

Use when ternary diagram
has grid lines

Each apex represents 100%
of that component

The horizontal lines opposite
each apex

Count up from 0% for each
component

E.G. 2,

X 70 %
Y 20 %
Z 10 %

Ternary Diagrams
Method 2

Use when ternary diagram has
no grid lines (many
classification diagrams)

Ratio the two smallest
components (100Y/(Y+Z)).
Here, this equals 2000/30 =
67%

This Y/Z ratio will remain the
same regardless of X. So draw a
line from the X apex to a Y:Z
ratio of 67% and plot where it
crosses the 70% X position

E.G. 2,




X 70 %
Y 20 %
Z 10 %

Ternary Diagrams - examples
We have a course-grained (plutonic)
igneous rock with the following
mineral proportions:

Hornblende 10.4%
Pyroxene 5.2%
Quartz 29.8%
Alkali Feldspar 10.4%
Plagioclase Feldspar 44.2%



Ternary Diagrams - examples
This particular classification diagram
requires that Quartz (Q), Alkali-
feldspar (A) and Plagioclase Feldspar
(P) make up a total >10%

Hornblende 10.4%
Pyroxene 5.2%
Quartz (Q) 29.8%
Alkali Feldspar (A) 10.4%
Plagioclase Feldspar (P) 44.2%


Ternary Diagrams - examples
This particular classification diagram
requires that Quartz (Q), Alkali-
feldspar (A) and Plagioclase Feldspar
(P) make up a total >10%

Hornblende 10.4%
Pyroxene 5.2%
Quartz (Q) 29.8%
Alkali Feldspar (A) 10.4%
Plagioclase Feldspar (P) 44.2%


Now, how do we plot this data on
our ternary (classification)
diagram?
Ternary Diagrams - examples
First, normalise our data to just these three
variables:

Hbl 10.4%
Pyx 5.2%
Q 29.8 %
A 10.4%
P 44.2%

Total 100%

Q 29.8
A 10.4
P 44.2

Total 84.4
So, we multiply each
by 100/84.4 = 1.18
Q 35.2 %
A 12.3 %
P 52.5 %

Total 100
x 1.18 =
Ternary Diagrams - examples
Q 35.2 %
A 12.3 %
P 52.5 %

Total 100 %

Q/A ratio = 100x35.2/(35.2+12.3)
= 74.1 %

GRANODIORITE
52.5% P
74.1% Q/A