Minerals that make up the majority of Earth's crust; how they form and their chemical properties.
Crystal Structures: Understanding crystal structures is fundamental to the study of rock-forming minerals. This topic involves learning about the arrangement of atoms in crystals, their bond types, and how they interact with each other.
Mineralogy: Mineralogy is the study of minerals and their properties. It involves identifying minerals, their crystal structures, physical and chemical properties, and occurrence in rocks.
Petrology: Petrology is the study of rocks and their origins. It involves understanding the different types of rocks and their properties, how they are formed, and the processes that influence their formation.
Mineral Chemistry: This involves learning about the chemical composition and structure of minerals. It includes understanding the major and trace elements in minerals, as well as the effect of temperature and pressure on mineral formation.
X-ray Diffraction Techniques: X-ray diffraction techniques involve using X-rays to determine the crystal structure of minerals. This method is particularly useful for identifying and characterizing minerals in rocks.
Spectroscopy: Spectroscopy involves studying the interactions of light with matter. This technique is used to identify and characterize minerals based on their spectral properties.
Phase Equilibria: Phase equilibria involves understanding the conditions under which different minerals form and the processes that influence their formation. This topic is particularly important for understanding the processes that lead to the formation of rocks.
Trace Element Geochemistry: Trace element geochemistry involves the study of the distribution of trace elements in minerals and rocks. It includes understanding the role of trace elements in mineral formation and the use of trace elements as geochemical tracers.
Isotope Geochemistry: Isotope geochemistry involves understanding the distribution of isotopes in minerals and rocks. It includes the use of isotopes as geochemical tracers and for dating rocks.
Mineralogy in Environmental Science: Mineralogy has significant applications in environmental science, including the study of pollutants and the remediation of contaminated sites.
Mineralogy in Materials Science: Mineralogy has applications in materials science, including the development of new materials and the study of their properties.
Mineralogy in Industry: Mineralogy is important in industry, including the mining and processing of minerals and the production of construction materials.
Quartz: Silicon dioxide (SiO2) mineral that is abundant in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; It is hard and resistant to weathering.
Feldspar: Group of minerals that includes orthoclase, plagioclase, and microcline; it is particularly abundant in igneous rocks.
Mica: Group of sheet silicate minerals that commonly occur in metamorphic and igneous rocks and are known for their high optical clarity.
Amphibole: Group of silicate minerals with a double chain structure that appear in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal deposits; they contain iron, magnesium, and calcium.
Pyroxene: Another group of silicate minerals that form single chains; it is common in mafic and ultramafic rocks.
Olivine: Magnesium iron silicate (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 mineral that is commonly found in ultramafic rocks.
Garnet: Group of minerals that are used as gems and are found in metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks.
Calcite: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) mineral that is abundant in sedimentary rocks and is the primary mineral in limestone.
Chlorite: Group of hydrous silicate minerals that are commonly found in low-grade metamorphic rocks.
Talc: Hydrous magnesium silicate mineral that is used in industrial applications and is common in metamorphic and ultramafic rocks.
Magnetite: Iron oxide mineral (Fe3O4) that is abundant in igneous and metamorphic rocks and is a magnetic mineral.
Hornblende: Is a black mineral that is a form of amphibole. It often occurs in both metamorphic rocks, such as schist and gneiss, and igneous rocks, such as granite and basalt.
Biotite: Is a dark-colored mica mineral that commonly occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks.