The Field Description Of Igneous Rocks | 2026 Update |

Identify the minerals present and estimate their relative abundance:

Note patterns like columnar jointing (hexagonal columns) or cooling cracks. The Field Description of Igneous Rocks

Estimate the percentage of dark minerals (Mafic Index). Identify the minerals present and estimate their relative

Note the overall color. Use terms like leucocratic (light-colored/felsic), mesocratic (medium), or melanocratic (dark-colored/mafic). or melanocratic (dark-colored/mafic).