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What are the techniques used in identifying Igneous rocks?

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Sometime igneous rocks are fairly easy to identify, because they have visible crystals of feldspar, micah, quartz, and amphibole. You look at one of those and say, “Okay, it's granite; I can check that off my list.” But often it's not that easy. read more

Extrusive igneous rocks, like rhyolite, basalt, etc. are microcrystalline, meaning you can’t see the individual minerals — you’ve just got a grey, tan, black, or red rock. 2,) But many igneous rocks are porphyritic, meaning that some of the rock looks microcrystalline, but there are visible crystals, too. read more

Aphanitic igneous rocks have a fine-grained texture and most of their crystals are too small to see with the naked eye. You will need to use a magnifying glass to observe the crystals in aphanitic rocks. Igneous rocks that form too quickly for crystals to form have what is called a glassy texture. read more

To identify a rock, think like a geologist and examine its physical characteristics for clues. The following tips and tables contain characteristics that will help you identify the most common rocks on earth. Rock Identification Tips. First, decide whether your rock is igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. read more

Sometime igneous rocks are fairly easy to identify, because they have visible crystals of feldspar, micah, quartz, and amphibole. You look at one of those and say, “Okay, it’s granite; I can check that off my list.” read more

Learn how to identify 44 of the most common igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types with this handy rock identification chart. read more

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