GABBRO, BASALT & DOLERITE

Prepared by Sushil Subhadeep Nayak

Parameters Gabbro Basalt Dolerite

Intrusive, coarse-grained, melanocratic (dark Extrusive, fine-grained, basic volcanic igneous Subvolcanic (hypabyssal), medium-grained
coloured) basic plutonic igneous rock. rock, most abundant volcanic rocks on earth basic igneous rock
Nature of Rock
✔ Volcanic Equivalent: BASALT surface.
✔ Hypabyssal Equivalent: Dolerite ✔ Plutonic Equivalent: GABBRO ✔ Plutonic Equivalent: GABBRO

Calcic Plagioclase (labradorite to Bytownite), Plagioclase (bytownite-labradorite), pyroxene Plagioclase (labradorite), pyroxene (augite),
Essential Minerals
Pyroxene (augite, diopside etc.) (augite) olivine (sometimes)

Magnetite, ilmenite, apatite, hornblende, biotite, Magnetite, ilmenite, hematite, apatite, biotite, Magnetite, ilmenite, apatite, hornblende,
Accessory Minerals
olivine olivine biotite

Coarse-grained (phaneritic), holocrystalline,

Fine-grained (aphanitic), often porphyritic, Medium-grained (Ophitic to sub-ophitic,
Igneous Texture intergranular or interlocking texture, ophitic to
glassy in some cases intergranular)
sub-ophitic texture

Columnar, vesicular, amygdaloidal, pillow

Structure Massive, layered (in some cases) Massive, sometimes columnar
structure (in underwater flows)

 Tholeiitic Basalt: Similar to gabbro but with finer grains

Noritic
oversaturated in
(orthopyroxene-  Olivine Dolerite: Contains olivine, along
silica,
rich), Troctolitic with plagioclase and clinopyroxene.
composed of
(olivine-rich), Associated with high-Mg mafic
essentially calcic
Olivine Gabbro intrusions.
plagioclase &
[Refer Triangular  Quartz Dolerite: Contains quartz as an
Varieties/Classification Diagram of Plag- pyroxene
(augite, pigeonite) interstitial mineral, typically due to silica
Px-Ol] saturation. Common in continental flood
 Alkaline Basalt: (rich in feldspathoids like
IUGS Classification of Gabbroic Rocks (Based nephiline) basalt provinces.
on Plagioclase & Pyroxene)  Olivine basalt:  Hornblende Dolerite: Contains
(Olivine+Plagioclase+Pyroxene) hornblende as a secondary mineral,
 Norite: If orthopyroxene formed due to alteration or hydrothermal
 Alkali olivine basalt: (Olivine and
(enstatite/hypersthene) dominates. activity.
pyroxene + Plagioclase+ Nephiline)
Parameters Gabbro Basalt Dolerite

 Gabbro: If clinopyroxene (augite) [For classification Refer Basalt  Hypersthene Dolerite: Contains
dominates. Tetrahedron] hypersthene (orthopyroxene) instead of
 Troctolite: If plagioclase + olivine, with little olivine. Common in tholeiitic dolerite
to no pyroxene. intrusions.
 Anorthositic Gabbro: If plagioclase > 90%.
Forms large intrusive bodies like batholiths,
Forms lava flows, dykes, sills, and extensive Found as dykes, sills, and hypabyssal
Occurrence lopoliths, dykes, and sills. Associated with large
plateaus bodies
layered igneous complexes.

Found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra

Deccan Traps of Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu
Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka; Rajmahal Traps in
Jharkhand.  Singhbhum Dolerite Dykes:
(Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh)
Found in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,  Deccan Traps (Maharashtra, Madhya
Large-scale Proterozoic dyke swarms
Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra
(~2.2 Ga), associated with the
Pradesh): Formed due to massive flood
 Mayurbhanj Complex (Odisha): Includes Singhbhum Craton.
basalt eruptions during the Cretaceous-
Indian Distribution gabbro, norite, and anorthosite.  Bastar Craton Dolerites:
Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary (~66 million
 Sukinda Chromite Belt (Odisha): Consists (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh):
years ago). Consists of tholeiitic basalt,
of gabbro, anorthosite, and peridotite. Proterozoic (~2.4 Ga) dolerite
with distinct lava flow sequences.
 Sittampundi Igneous Complex of Tamil intrusions cutting through Archean
 Rajmahal Traps (Jharkhand, Bihar, West
Nadu, India (gabbro-anorthosite-norite). basement.
Bengal): Formed during the Early
 Eastern Dharwar Craton Dolerites :
Cretaceous (~118 million years ago).
(Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh) Several
Tholeiitic basalt flows associated with the
swarms of Precambrian dolerite dykes,
Kerguelen mantle plume.
related to rift zones.

Used as crushed stone, construction aggregate, Used as road metal, railway ballast, building Used as road metal, concrete aggregate,
Uses
and ornamental stone stone, and raw material for cement and for decorative purposes

Hand specimen &

Microscopic View
 GRANITE, PEGMATITE & SYENITE
Prepared by Sushil Subhadeep Nayak

Parameter Granite Pegmatite Syenite

Coarse-grained igneous rocks composed mainly

Intrusive, coarse-grained, leucocratic acid of feldspar, quartz, and mica, form at late-stage Intrusive, coarse-grained, intermediate
igneous rock crystallization of magma and often contain rare igneous rock
Nature of Rock
minerals and economic metals like lithium,
✔ Volcanic Equivalent: RHYOLITE tantalum, and beryllium. Intrusive, very coarse- ✔ Volcanic Equivalent: TRACHYTE
grained igneous rock.

Feldspar (Microcline, Orthoclase, Albite), Quartz, Alkali Feldspar (Orthoclase,

Essential Minerals Quartz, Feldspar (Orthoclase, Plagioclase),
Mica (Biotite, Muscovite) Microcline), Plagioclase (Oligoclase)

Biotite, Muscovite, Hornblende, Magnetite, Tourmaline, Garnet, Beryl, Zircon, Topaz, Fluorite,
Accessory Minerals Hornblende, Biotite, Pyroxenes
Zircon, Apatite, Titanite Rare Earth Minerals

Coarse-grained (phaneritic), equigranular to Very coarse-grained (pegmatitic), graphic, Coarse-grained (phaneritic),

Igneous Texture
porphyritic, holocrystalline miarolitic porphyritic, equigranular

Massive, occasionally foliated (gneissic texture Irregular veins, lenses, pockets, often associated
Structure Massive, sometimes layered or banded
in deformed granites) with granitic intrusions

Alkali Syenite
Biotite Granite, Hornblende Granite, Alkali
Granite, Porphyritic Granite. Simple Pegmatite (common minerals) Hornblende Syenite
Zoned Pegmatite (rich in rare minerals) Quartz Syenite

Varieties/Classification Granitic Pegmatite (Quartz, Feldspar Monzonite: Syenite + Alkali and

(Orthoclase & Plagioclase), Mica) Plagioclase Feldspar in equal
Alkali Pegmatite (Alkali Feldspar, Quartz, proportion
Classification Based on Tectonic Setting (Chappell & White, Aegirine, Riebeckite) Nepheline Syenite: More than 5%
1974)
Nephiline + Syenite + Alk-Feldspar

Occurs as veins and dykes associated with Found as plutonic bodies, associated
Occurrence Forms batholiths, stocks, intrusions
granitic intrusions with granitic intrusions
Parameter Granite Pegmatite Syenite

Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Occurs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,

Madhya Pradesh Found in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Singhbhum Granite (Jharkhand, Odisha) Malani Igneous Suite (Rajasthan)
Archean, I-type Bihar-Jharkhand Pegmatite Belt (Singhbhum
and Chotanagpur Pegmatites) Siwana Alkaline Complex
Bundelkhand Granite (Uttar Pradesh, (Rajasthan)
Madhya Pradesh) – Archean, I-type Rajasthan Pegmatite Belt (Erinpura & Malani
Indian Distribution Igneous Suite Pegmatites) Khariar Alkaline Complex (Odisha)
Closepet Granite (Karnataka) – Proterozoic,
S-type Karnataka Pegmatite Belt (Closepet Granite Pakhal Basin Syenites (Telangana)
Pegmatites)
Erinpura Granite (Rajasthan, Gujarat) – Late Cuddapah Basin Syenites (Andhra
Proterozoic, I-type Tamil Nadu & Kerala Pegmatite Belt Pradesh)

Chilka Lake Granite (Odisha) – Proterozoic, Odisha Pegmatite Belt: Sambalpur Pegmatites Bastar Craton Syenites
S-type (Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh)

Building stone, monuments, decorative stone, Source of gemstones, rare minerals, industrial Used in construction, ornamental
Uses
construction aggregate minerals, and ceramic raw materials stone, and monuments

Hand specimen &

Microscopic View
 DIORITE, PERIDOTITE & DUNITE
Prepared by Sushil Subhadeep Nayak

Parameter Diorite Peridotite Dunite

Intrusive, coarse-grained intermediate

Intrusive, ultramafic igneous rock Intrusive, ultramafic igneous rock, almost
Nature of Rock mesocratic (medium-dark colour) igneous rock
✔ Volcanic Equivalent: Komatiite entirely olivine
✔ Volcanic Equivalent: Andesite

Olivine (dominant), Pyroxene

Plagioclase (andesine-oligoclase), Amphibole
Essential Minerals (Orthopyroxene, Clinopyroxene), sometimes Olivine (90-100%), minor Pyroxene
(Hornblende)
Garnet

Biotite, Pyroxene (Augite), Magnetite, Apatite,

Accessory Minerals Chromite, Magnetite, Ilmenite, Spinel, Garnet Chromite, Magnetite, Spinel
Zircon, Titanite, Quartz (rare)

Coarse-grained (phaneritic), holocrystalline, Coarse-grained (phaneritic), sometimes Granular, coarse-grained, sometimes

Igneous Texture
granular porphyritic, cumulate texture, porphyritic

Massive, sometimes layered (as in layered

Structure Massive, sometimes gneissic due to deformation Massive, sometimes nodular
intrusions)

✔ Harzburgite (Olivine + Orthopyroxene)

✔ Lherzolite (Olivine + Opx + Cpx)
✔ Wehrlite (Olivine + Cpx)

✔ Quartz Diorite
✔ Chromite-rich Dunite,
Varieties/Classification ✔ Biotite Diorite
✔ Serpentinized Dunite
✔ Hornblende Diorite
Parameter Diorite Peridotite Dunite

Found in ophiolites, layered intrusions,

Found as batholiths, stocks, dykes, sills, and Common in ophiolite complexes and
Occurrence mantle-derived rocks, kimberlite-hosted
associated with granodiorites mantle rocks
mantle xenoliths

Occurs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha,

Found in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Found in Tamil Nadu (), Odisha, Karnataka
Tamil Nadu, and Odisha Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh
Sukinda Chromite Belt (Odisha):
Singhbhum Craton Diorites Nuapada Ultramafic Complex (Odisha) Dunite, Chromite, Serpentinite
Indian Distribution Nuapada Ultramafic Complex
Eastern Ghats Belt Diorites Sittampundi Complex (Tamil Nadu)
(Odisha): Dunite, Chromite, Serpentinite
Bundelkhand Craton Diorites Singhbhum Craton Ultramafics Sittampundi complex (Tamil Nadu):
Indus Suture Zone Diorites (Jharkhand & Odisha) Dunite, Pyroxenite, Chromite

Used as construction stone, road metal, and Source of nickel, chromium, platinum group Source of olivine, chromite, and refractory
Uses
decorative stone elements (PGE), and refractory materials materials

Hand specimen &

Microscopic View