Mineralogy and Petrology Laboratory Practices

This book is about identification and description of minerals and rocks which usually starts with field scenarios followed by hand specimens, preferably under laboratory conditions after field excursions. The information contained in this mineralogy and petrology laboratory manual is a package for concepts and essential practical skills that will enable students to provide a detailed follow-up after such field excursions. Procedures for identifying and describing hand specimens of rock forming minerals and typical rock samples, as seen in hand specimens, have been provided as a guide on anticipated results. Illustrations for the field occurrences have also been provided for the student to visualize field realities that also exist elsewhere. Detailed properties for selected minerals have been provided for comparison with the results that will have been obtained. The comparison acts as a yardstick for the student to ascertain correctness of the descriptions done and thus act as a control opportunity other than serving as a confidence builder. The manual willl serve requirements of the course units that provide knowledge on mineralogy and petrology to students.