QAPF diagram


A QAPF diagram is a double ternary diagram which is used to classify igneous rocks based on mineralogic composition. The acronym QAPF stands for "Quartz, Alkali feldspar, Plagioclase, Feldspathoid ". These are the mineral groups used for classification in QAPF diagram. Q, A, P and F percentages are normalized.

Origin

QAPF diagrams were created by the International Union of Geological Sciences : Subcommission on the Systematics of Igneous Rocks
fostered by Albert Streckeisen.
Geologists worldwide accept the diagrams as a classification of igneous, especially plutonic rocks.

Usage

QAPF diagrams are mostly used to classify plutonic rocks, but are also used to classify volcanic rocks if modal mineralogical compositions have been determined. QAPF diagrams are not used to classify pyroclastic rocks or volcanic rocks if modal mineralogical composition is not determined, instead the TAS classification is used. TAS is also used if volcanic rock contains volcanic glass. QAPF diagrams are also not used if mafic minerals make up more than 90% of the rock composition.
An exact name can be given only if the mineralogical composition is known, which cannot be determined in the field.

Reading QAPF diagram

The QAPF diagram utilizes four minerals, or mineral groups, to classify igneous rocks. These minerals are quartz, Alkali feldspars, plagioclase feldspars, and feldspathoids. F and Q cannot form in plutonic rocks simultaneously due to the difference in their respective silica contents. Other minerals may occur in samples, but they are not utilized by this classification method.
The QAPF diagram is composed of two ternary plots joined along one side. To use this classification method, the concentration of these minerals must be determined and normalized to 100%. For example: a plutonic rock that contains no alkali feldspar and no feldspathoids, but contains lots of pyroxenes, plagioclase-feldspar, and few quartz grains is probably gabbro. This diagram makes no distinction between rock types of the same chemical composition in QAPF, but different chemical compositions with respect to other minerals.
Note that this diagram is not used for all plutonic rocks. Ultramafic rocks are the most important plutonic rocks that have separate classification diagrams.

Footnotes