Crustal Mineralogy

and processes forming oceanic and continental crust

Ocean Crust

Atlantic MOR
Basalt and gabbro
1/2 plagioclase
1/2 Ol, Px
Melting of mantle peridotite
Crust - 7 to 10 km Mantle Plume - Hawaii

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 Mid-Ocean Ridges

MOR Basalt - from the

asthenosphere (depleted mantle)

Symmetrical age distribution to the

ridge and <220 m.y.

Hydrothermal alteration common

Smoker on the East Pacific Rise

Hot Spot Ocean Islands

Vesicles in basalt

Hawaii fissure eruption

Tahiti atoll
The mantle plume, originating from deep and enriched mantle,
perhaps from the D Layer on the core-mantle boundary

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 Continental Crust

Granitic rocks are common

1/3 quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar
30 - 70 km thick + hornblende, biotite, muscovite
Dating back to 4.0 b.y.
Dual processes of continental growth:
magmatism and accretion

Subduction Volcanism

Island Arc

Mt. St. Helens - 1980

Andesite - melting of basalt ocean

crust or the hydrated mantle
wedge
Andean-type margin

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Andesite - the Ultimate Subduction Magma

Mineralogy - Pl + Hb +
Px + Mt

Gaseous, viscous, and

prone to explosion

St.Helens and Mt Raineer

Andesite with hornblende phenocrysts

Rhyolite

Bishops Tuff
1991 Pinatubo

Melting of andesite/continental crust

The most explosive
Volcanic equivalent to granite
Sanidine, quartz, plagioclase, biotite, hornblende
Mono Obsidian and pumice

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 Accretion and Subduction Metamorphism
Accretion - the other half of continental
growth

Fault emplacement of oceanic and

continental suspect terranes

High pressure metamorphism

Blueschist, outcrop& thin section (glaucophane

amphibole); Hi-P, low-T metabasalt

Accretion to the Continents

Eclogite - highest P metabasalt

mineralogy: garnet + cpx

Serpentinite - spirit of oceans past

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 Silicate Crustal Minerals
Most abundant class of minerals (40% of all common minerals)
Of the common rocks, the essential minerals of all igneous rocks,
many sedimentary rocks, and all but one metamorphic rock are
comprised of silicate minerals
Structures are based on silicate tetrahedron: 4 oxygen atoms and
1 silicon atom
The large number of silicate minerals differ in the way the silica
tetrahedra are linked
Polymerization is the creation of compounds by accepting or
sharing electrons.
Linking silicate tetrahedra by oxygen sharing; results in huge
atomic structures, e.g., endless chains, layers, and 3-D
frameworks
Acknowledgement: most of the following
images provided by Stephanie Lewis

Silicate Structures of Crustal

Minerals

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 Silicate Structures

Silicate ring: tourmaline

Single island: olivine,
garnet, and zircon

Double island: epidote Single and double chains:

Pyroxenes and amphiboles

Silicate Structures

Plane silicates - micas,

Serpentine, clays
Framework silicates - feldspars,
quartz

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 Nesosilicates (single tetrahedra)
Two very important rock-forming mineral groups, the olivines and the
garnets, have crystal structures in which the silicate tetrahedra are
isolated
Crystal habit of these minerals are equidemensional and pronounced
cleavage is absent
Atomic packing is generally dense, causing high specific gravity and
hardness Garnet on Galena

Garnet A3B2(SiO4)3
Isometric
minerals often occur in
dodecahedron crystal form
form abundantly in metamorphic
rocks; its characteristic
occurrence is in mica schists,
hornblende schists, and gneisses Copyright Greg Murray

All species are cut as gemstones

Topaz Al 2SiO4(F,OH)2
Nesosilicates
Orthorhombic
Commonly in prismatic crystals terminated by
dipyramids
Characterized by its hardness; exists as an index
mineral for the mohs hardness scale; 8-very hard
Formed by fluorine-bearing vapors given off Copyright Dan Weinrich
during the last stages of the solidification of
siliceous igneous rocks
Used as a gemstone, more precious than the
similar citrine quartz
Staurolite Fe 22+Al9O6(SiO 4) 4(O,OH)2
Monoclinic
Characterized by its common cruciform twinning
Formed during regional metamorphism of
aluminum-rich rocks and is found in schists and
gneisses
Copyright John Betts - Fine Minerals
Right angle twins sometimes sold as amulets
under the name fairy stone

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 Nesosilicates
Olivine (Mg,Fe) 2SiO4
Orthorhombic Peridot (Forsterite)
A very common constituent of igneous rocks recrystallized at the
base
(gabbros, peridotites, and basalts) in oceanic
crust and the upper part of the mantle
A complete solid solution series exists from
forsterite, Mg2SiO4, to fayalite, Fe2SiO4
Peridotites are pure olivine and olivine plus
pyroxene rocks
Occurs in such flawless and beautiful crystals
that is used as a gem named peridot ; olivine is
also mined as refractory sand for the casting Copyright Francesc Fabre / Fabre Minerals
industry and manufacture of refractory bricks

Ode to Olivine! in thin section, a poem by Brenna Lorenz

In basalt a lurid green
Bespeaks the savage olivine
Mantle's child, born of fire
Restless in the open air
Little beads of anger bear
The torture of desire

Silica upon its face

It suffers, helpless, in disgrace
Its powers of reaction bound
By solid's bond and cage
In agony confined to rage
Unstable and unsound

Its birefringent power plays

The sifted light to rare displays
The haunting, primal colors tell
Of fire and fury's flag unfurled
Flag of fluid, nether world
Beneath the fragile shell

http://www.ahajokes.com/sci06.html

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 Aluminosilicates
Polymorphic group of nesosilicates
Commonly found in medium to high-grade metamorphic rocks of Al-
rich bulk composition

Andalusite Al SiO 2 5 Andalusite (Var:Chiastolite)

Orthorhombic
Characterized by the nearly square prism and hardness
Formed typically in contact aureoles of igneous intrusions in
argillaceous rocks
The distinctive variety chiastolite has dark-colored
carbonaceous inclusions arranged in a cruciform design
Mined in large quantities in CA for use in the manufacture of
spark plugs and other porcelains
Copyright 2000-2002 John H. Betts

Silky massive sillimanite

Aluminosilicates
Sillimanite Al2SiO5
Orthorhombic
Frequently fibrous and called fibrolite Copyright Jeff Weissman /
Photographic Guide to Mineral Species
Characterized by slender crystals with one direction of
cleavage
Occurs as a constituent of high-temperature metamorphosed
argillaceous rocks
Used in the manufacture of high-grade porcelain

Kyanite Al2SiO5
Triclinic
Characterized by its bladed crystals, good cleavage, and blue
color
A result of regional metamorphism of pelitic rocks
Also used in the manufacture of high refractory porcelains

Copyright Philip Mostmans

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 Sorosilicates
unit of 2 silica tetrahedra sharing one common O
the other 6 O are free to connect with other cation polyhedra and in turn more
of the soro- units can connect with these

Vesuvianite Ca 10(Mg,Fe) 2Al 4(SiO 4)5(Si2O7)2(OH)4

Blocky, tan-colored vesuvianite with
Tetragonal white grossular garnet

Crystals are prismatic and often vertically

striated; can also occur as columnar aggregates
Formed as the result of contact metamorphism
of impure limestones
Named for its original discovery in the ancient
ejections of Vesuvius and dolomitic blocks of
Monte Somma

Copyright Francesc Fabre / Fabre Minerals

Sorosilicates
Dark green, blocky epidote with transparent quartz
Epidote Ca2(Al,Fe)Al2O(SiO4)(Si2O7)(OH)
Monoclinic
Crystals are usually elongated with a
prismatic aspect
Characterized by its green color and one
perfect cleavage plane
belongs to an isomorphic group
Copyright Francesc Fabre / Fabre Minerals
Forms under conditions of regional
metamorphism of the epidote-amphibolite
facies; forms also during retrograde
metamorphism, and is common in
metamorphosed limestones

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 Cyclosilicates
closed rings of silica tetrahedra each sharing 2 O
the remaining 12 O in the unit are free to connect with cations of
other polyhedra which in turn can connect with more cyclo-units
atoms can be physically trapped in the open spaces
minerals have high hardness, there are many examples of
gemstones, and cleavage is poor

Shared oxygen

Cyclosilicates
Transparent Aquamarine, the blue variety of beryl

Beryl Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Hexagonal
Strong prismatic habit; frequently
vertically striated and grooved
Usually occurs in granitic rocks or
pegmatites; also found in mica schists
and associated with tin ores Copyright Dan Weinrich

Commonly known as the gemstones

emerald and aquamarine

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 Cyclosilicates
Tourmaline
(Na,Ca)(Li,Mg,Al) 3(Al,Fe,Mn)6(BO3)3(Si 6O18 )(OH) 4

Hexagonal
Usually in prismatic crystals with a
prominent trigonal prism; can be either
radiating or parallel
Characterized by its triangular cross section
Occurs in granite pegmatites and as an
accessory mineral in igneous and
metamorphic rocks
Used as a gemstone, and because of its
strong piezoelectric property, in the
manufacture of pressure gauges to measure
blast pressures

Copyright Rob Lavinsky

Inosilicates (chains)
Pyroxenes
Continuous single chain unit, each sharing 2 O
free O in each tetrahedron available to connect to other cation
polyhedra which in turn will connect with other ino-single chain
units
cleavage along connected polyhedra results in a typical 90
degree 2 directional cleavage
Commonly occur in stout prisms
Crystallize at higher temperature than amphiboles; are generally
formed early in a cooling igneous melt and high-temperature
metamorphic rocks

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/skinner/0471152285/lecture_notes/ch03.pdf

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 Clear, dark gray augite prisms in matrix

Inosilicates
Augite (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6
Monoclinic
Exists in granular massive, columnar, and
lamellar forms Copyright Lou Perloff / Photo
Found chiefly in dark-colored igneous rocks Atlas of Minerals
such as basaltic lavas, gabbros, peridotites,
and andesites
Spodumene LiAlSi2O6
Monoclinic
Prismatic crystals with deep vertical
striations; coarse with roughened faces
Characterized by its prismatic cleavage
Found almost exclusively in lithium-rich
pegmatites
Used mainly as a gemstone and source of
lithium; also in aluminum, ceramics, storage Copyright Dave Barthelmy
batteries, air conditioning, and as a welding
flux

Inosilicates
Pyroxenoids
Lower symmetry than the pyroxene chains; structures are triclinic
minerals commonly display splintery cleavage and sometimes fibrous habit

Wollastanite CaSiO 3
Triclinic
can resemble albite but has no
striation twinning
Commonly massive, with
cleavable to fibrous form
Occurs chiefly as a contact
metamorphic mineral in
crystalline limestones
Mined and manufactured for
the use of tile

Copyright Lou Perloff / Photo Atlas of Minerals

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 Inosilicates
Amphiboles
double chain unit of tetrahedra each sharing 2 and 3 O
alternately
free O in tetrahedra available to connect to other cation
polyhedra which in turn connect to other ino-double chain units
cleavage along connected polyhedra forms a 120-60 degree 2
directional cleavage
Characterized by the presence of (OH), which is lacking in
pyroxenes; gives a slightly lower specific gravity
Tend to form elongated crystals, often acicular

Dark gray prismatic crystal of

Inosilicates
ferrohornblende in a white feldspar matrix

Hornblende (Ca,Na) 2-3 (Mg,Fe,Al) 5Si6(Si,Al) 2O22(OH)2

Monoclinic
Prismatic crystals; may be columnar or fibrous
Distinguished from dark pyroxenes by its crystal Copyright Lou Perloff / Photo
Atlas of Minerals
form and cleavage angles; from other amphiboles
by its dark color Pale violet to gray fibrous massive glaucophane
Occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks
Glaucophane Na 2Mg 3Al2Si8O22(OH)2
Monoclinic
Slender, acicular crystals; frequently aggregated
Characterized by its generally fibrous habit and blue
color
Found only in metamorphic rocks such as schists,
eclogite, and marble; reflect low-temperature, high-
pressure metamorphic conditions Copyright Jeff Weissman / Photographic
Guide to Mineral Species

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 Inosilicates

Cleavage: pyroxene
vs amphibole

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/skinner/0471152285/lecture_notes/ch03.pdf

Phyllosilicates
Sheet silicates
*Strong bonds within sheets,
but poor bonds between them
*Weak minerals that are either
fibrous or have strong single
cleavages

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 Phyllosilicates (sheets)
Micas
Composed of layers with little or
no exchangeable water
Crystallize in the monoclinic
system, but due to their
crystallographic angle, the
symmetry is not seen
Crystals are usually tabular, that
appear to be either orthorhombic
or hexagonal
Characterized by a highly perfect
cleavage
Chief minerals of schist;
widespread in igneous rocks
muscovite

Pseudo-hexagonal crystalline aggregate of muscovite

Phyllosilicates
Muscovite KAl 2(AlSi 3O10)(OH) 2
Prism faces are roughened by horizontal
striations and frequently taper
Due to its high dielectric and heat-resisting Copyright Dave Barthelmy
properties, sheet mica is used as an
insulating material in the manufacture of Sharp hexagonal plates of dark brown
biotite to 2.5 cm. across, with white albite
electrical apparatus

Biotite K(Mg,Fe) 3(AlSi 3O10)(OH) 2

Characterized by, and distinguished from
other micas by its dark color
Occurs over a wide range of temperature
and pressure conditions in metamorphic
rocks, and also occurs in regionally as well
Copyright Richard Dale / Dale Minerals
as contact metamorphosed rocks

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 Phyllosilicates
Clays
Clay is a rock term, and like most
rocks, clays are made up of a number
of different minerals in varying
proportions
Clays are fine-grained minerals that
are generally plastic at appropriate
water contents and harden when dried
All are hydrous aluminum layer
silicates kaolinite
Always a secondary mineral formed by
weathering or hydrothermal alteration
of aluminum silicates, particularly
feldspar

Phyllosilicates

Talc Mg Si O
3 4 10 (OH) 2

Triclinic
Crystals usually tabular; foliated and in
radiating foliated groups; when compacted is
called soapstone
Characterized by its micaceous habit,
softness, and greasy feel
A secondary mineral formed by the alteration
of magnesium silicates
Used in powdered form as an ingredient in
pint, ceramics, rubber, insecticides, roofing, Copyright Lou Perloff / Photo Atlas of Minerals
paper, and foundry facings; the most familiar
use is in talcum powder

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 Phyllosilicates

Serpentine
The serpentine group consists of polymorphs with the formula Mg 6Si 4O10(OH) 8
Widely distributed as an alteration of magnesium silicates; found in igneous and
metamorphic rocks

Yellowish green, fibrous antigorite

var. Antigorite
Commonly massive
and fine-grained;
wax-like
Copyright Dave Barthelmy

Phyllosilicates
Polished slab of chrysotile asbestos
Serpentine var. Chrysotile minerals showing the fibrous, chatoyant
crystal patterns
Monoclinic or orthorhombic, depending on
polytype
Characterized by its fibrous nature; mined as
the principal mineral of asbestos-95% of the
worlds production of asbestos is in the form
of chrysotile
Current data does not support the
concept that low level exposure to
asbestos is a health hazard in buildings
and schools; natural processes releases Copyright John Betts - Fine Minerals

an abundance of fibers, humans breathe

about 1 million of them per year

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 Phyllosilicates
Chlorite (Mg,Fe)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2
(Mg,Fe) 3(OH)6
Triclinic or monoclinic depending on the Hexagonal Muscovite covered with green Chlorite

polytype
In pseudohexagonal tabular crystals;
usually foliated massive or in aggregates of
minute scales
Characterized by its green color and
inelastic folia
A common mineral in metamorphic rocks
Photo Copyright Marcelo O. Olsina
and is the diagnostic mineral of the
greenschist facies; commonly formed as an
alteration of Mg-Fe silicates

Tectosilicates (frameworks)
continuous framework of tetrahedra all sharing 4 of its O

Quartz SiO2
Hexagonal
Sixfold symmetry is characteristic of high-temperature quartz, but crystals
may also appear twisted or bent
Occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks; is the most common
mineral in hydrothermal and metal-bearing bearing veins
Used as a gemstone and ornamental material; as sand, is used in mortar,
concrete, and in the manufacture of glass and brick; in powdered form, is
used in porcelain, paints, sandpaper, and soaps; in scientific equipment, is
made into lenses for optical instruments, and used as radio oscillators to
permit transmission and reception (as in digital watches)

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 Tectosilicates (frameworks)
continuous framework of tetrahedra all sharing 4 of its O

Quartz SiO2
Hexagonal
Sixfold symmetry is characteristic of high-temperature quartz, but crystals
may also appear twisted or bent
Occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks; is the most common
mineral in hydrothermal and metal-bearing bearing veins
Used as a gemstone and ornamental material; as sand, is used in mortar,
concrete, and in the manufacture of glass and brick; in powdered form, is
used in porcelain, paints, sandpaper, and soaps; in scientific equipment, is
made into lenses for optical instruments, and used as radio oscillators to
permit transmission and reception (as in digital watches)

Tectosilicates

Quartz
Many varieties of quartz exist as polymorphs; some coarsely
crystalline forms are smoky quartz, amethyst, rose quartz, and
tigers eye
Microcrystalline forms of quartz are called chalcedony, which
consist of Agate (layered alternating bands), Carnelian, and
Onyx
Granular varieties include Flint, Chert, and Jasper

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 Slightly smokey quartz Chalcendony (Var:Agate)
overgrown with rose quartz

Quartz
Tiger
Tigers Eye

Copyright Charles Creekmur

Copyright Kevin Ward Copyright 2000-2001 John H. Betts

Chalcedony (Var:Jasper)
Chalcedony

Copyright Zbynek Burival

Copyright 2004 Peter Cristofono

Tectosilicates

Plagioclase Feldspars
The most common mineral group in Earths crust; accounts for
about 60 percent of the continental crust
Triclinic; Has a structure formed by polymerization
have twinning striations similar to orthoclase
Distinguished from other feldspars by the presence of albite twin
striations
Used commercially in ceramics

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 Crystal group of bladed albite

Tectosilicates
Copyright John Veevaert
Albite NaAlSi3O8
Commonly found in granites, rhyolites, and pegmatites

Sometimes shows an opalescent color, known as

moonstone

Anorthite CaAl2Si2O8
Found in rocks rich in dark minerals, ejected volcanic
blocks, and granular limestones of contact
Copyright Manfred Mader
metamorphic deposits
labradorite showing multi-colored
labradorescence
Labradorite
Common in gabbros and basalts; is the only important
constituent of anorthosite

Show a fine iridescent play of colors

Copyright Dave Barthelmy

Tectosilicates

Carlsbad twinned crystal of orthoclase

K-feldspars
Orthoclase KAlSi 3O8
Monoclinic
Short prismatic crystals; commonly in
cleavable to granular masses
frequently show Carlsbad penetration
twinning and is characterized by its
right-angle cleavage and lack of twin
striations on the best cleavage
surface
Major constituent of granites, Copyright Francesc & Jordi Fabre / Fabre Minerals

granodiorites, and syenites

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 Opaque blocky tan crystal of microcline

Tectosilicates
Microcline KAlSi3O8
Triclinic
Habit, crystal forms, and twinning Copyright Jeff Weissman / Photographic
Guide to Mineral Species
follow same laws as orthoclase
Microcline under microscope
Distinguished from orthoclase only showing tartan
tartan twinning

by the presence of tartan

twinning, an optical property not
present in orthoclase
Prominent constituent of igneous
rocks
Used chiefly in the manufacture of http://www.union.edu/PUBLIC/GEODEPT/COUR
SES/petrology/ig_minerals.htm
porcelain

Tectosilicates

Leucite

Feldspathoids
minerals containing about 2/3 the amount of
silica resulting from a silica deficient magma;
tend to form from melts rich in alkalis

Leucite KAlSi2O6
Tetragonal
Copyright John Betts - Fine Minerals
Usually in trapezohedral crystals

Abundant in certain recent lavas

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 Tectosilicates

Feldspathoids

Sodalite Na8(AlSiO4)6Cl2
Isometric
Commonly massive; usually
dodecahedron crystals
Copyright 2000-2002 John H. Betts
Usually identified by its blue
color

Crustal Minerals Overview

Minerals entirely, or almost entirely, of crustal origin

Quartz and other silica polymorphs

All feldpars and feldspathoids
All aluminosilicates
All hydrous minerals (e.g., amphiboles, micas,
chlorite, talc, clay minerals, epidote, tourmaline)

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 References
Klein, Cornelis Mineral Science, 22 nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York
2002

Mineralogy Database 2000-2005 by David Barthelmy http://webmineral.com/

University of Colorado Mineral Structure Data, as presented in Smyth and Bish (1988)
"Crystal Structures and Cation Sites f the Rock-Forming Minerals " Allen & Unwin
http://ruby.colorado.edu/~smyth/min/minerals.html
Mineralogy and Crystal Chemistry - GLY 4200C 2005
http://www.geosciences.fau.edu/Resources/CourseWebPages/Fall2005/GLY4200/ind
ex_4200_F05.htm

Benson Earth Sciences, Geology 3010-Mineralogy,

http://ruby.colorado.edu/~smyth/syl3010.html
Wiley Publishers, Copyright 2000-2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/skinner/047115228
5/lecture_notes/ch03.pdf
Southwest Missouri State University Department of Geosciences, GLG 332-
-Mineralogy
http://courses.missouristate.edu/ejm893f/Mineralogy/index2.html

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 Thats a nice gneiss
You breccia!
Dont take it for granite
My sediments exactly!

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