Most common minerals in igneous rocks



* This diagram may be better viewed in full-screen mode.



Observe & Discuss:


Station - Identify the following igneous minerals


  • Quartz - Assortment of colors, scratches glass and feldspar

  • K feldspar - Pink, white and blue with perthite

  • Plagioclase - Multiple shades of white to gray, striations

  • Mica - Biotite and muscovite, flaky

  • Amphibole and pyroxene - Dark with distinct cleavage

  • Olivine - Green and granular


Are these minerals commonly found in sedimentary rocks?


What is a crystal?


How many crystals are in each sample?


  • Single crystal - One

  • Diorite - Many

  • Obsidian - None

  • Basalt - Many more than in the diorite


Moon rock