DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED GEOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DR. HARISINGH GOUR VISHWAVIDYALAYA (A CENTRAL UNIVERSITY)

SEMINAR PRESENTATION ON: AMPHIBOLE

GUIDED BY PRESENTED BY
PROF A. K. SHANDILYA DHIRAJ PRATIM SHARMA
M. TECH 1ST SEM
REG. NO. Y21251022
 CONTENTS
1. Introduction.
2. Chemical Composition Of Amphiboles.
3. Classification Of Amphiboles.
4. Structure Of Amphiboles.
5. Description of common amphiboles with Physical , Optical
Properties , Varieties , Occurences , etc.
6. Geology/Geological Dristibution of Amphibole Minerals on Earth.
7. Indian Occurences of Amphiboles.
8. Uses of Amphiboles.
9. Conclusion.
10. Bibliography.
 INTRODUCTION
 The word ‘Amphibole’ comes from a Greek Word which
means ‘Ambiguous’ or ‘Doubtful’.
 It is one of the main rock forming mineral after Pyroxene and
it is formed 3rd in the discontinuous line of Bowen's reaction
series.
 Many varieties of Amphibole are Fibrous and are
Economically Viable.
 USA, Russia , China , Australia , India and other big countries
are some of the major producers of Amphiboles.
 They are mostly found in the Earth’s Crust and Rarely in the
mantle as they are hydrous and are not stable in extreme
temperatures of Mantle.
Fig - Amphibole formed 3rd in the discontinuous line of Bowen’s Reaction Series
Fig – Hornblende , A Common
Mineral of Amphibole Group.
 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF AMPHIBOLES

o  The general chemical formula of Amphiboles can be written as:

W0-1X2Y5Z8022(OH,F)2, where W  = Na+1 or K+1 in the A site with 10 to 12 fold
coordination.

o X = Ca+2, Na+1, Mn+2, Fe+2, Mg+2, Fe+3, in an M4 site with 6 to 8 fold

coordination.

o Y = Mn+2, Fe+2, Mg+2, Fe+3, Al+3 or Ti+4 in an M1,M2,M3 octahedral

coordination site.

o Z = Si+4 and Al+3 in the tetrahedral site.

o Substitution or Partial Substitution is possible between ions of similar

charge and size.
 CLASSIFICATION OF AMPHIBOLES
• Several common series of Amphibole Group can be represented
compositionally by Chemical System Mg7Si8O22(OH)2
(Anthophyllite) – Fe7Si8O22(OH)2 (Grunerite) – Ca7Si8O22(OH)2
a hypothetical end member composition as shown below -

Fig: Amphibole Compositions on The System Anthophyllite Gruenerite

and Orthoferrosilicate. Source – Klein Manual Of Mineralogy.
• The commonly occuring monoclinic amphibole Actinolite is a Mg
rich member of Tremolite – Ferroactinolite Series.

• Anthophyllite which is Orthorhombic its composition ranges from

Mg7Si8O22(OH)2 to Fe2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 and Cummingtonite
which is monoclinic its composition ranges from
Fe2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 to Fe7Si8O22(OH)2.

• Hornblende is Tremolite – Ferroactinolite Type with additional

partial substitution of Na in A and M4 sites and Mn,Fe3+,Ti4+ for
Y cations and Al for Si in tetrahedral sites leading to a complex
general formula.

• Sodic amphiboles are Glaucophane and Riebeckite . Arfvedsonite

contains additional Na in A site .
COMMON MINERALS OF AMPHIBOLE FAMILY
 STRUCTURE OF AMPHIBOLES
• Amphiboles belong to Double Chain Ionosilicate Silicate Structure.
• They are constructed by Double Chains of SiO4 tetrahedra having a high Si:O
ratio of 4:11.
• The amphiboles crystallise in Orthorhombic , Monoclinic and Triclinic Systems
and there is a good cleavage parallel to prism.
• The double chains of SiO4 tetrahedra extend parallel to C crystallographic axis
giving rise to its elongated prismatic crystals.

Fig: Silicate Structure of Amphiboles.

Here Si = 4 , O = 11 so ratio of Si:O is 4:11
• A octahedral strip is bonded to double SiO4 tetrahedra chains .

• The structure contains several cation sites labelled A, M4,M3,M2,

M1 as well as Tetrahedral Sites in the chains. A site has 10-12
Cordination with Oxygen and OH houses mainly large cations such
as Na and rarely K. M4 site has 8 cordination . M1, M2, M3 are
octahedral sites having 6 cordination and share edges to form
bands parallel to C axis.M1 and M3 are cordinated by 4 Oxygens
and two (OH, F) groups ; M2 is cordinated by 6 Oxygen atoms.

• The presence of OH group causes a decrease in thermal stability

as compared to more refractory Pyroxenes. This causes
Amphiboles to decompose to anhydrous minerals often
Pyroxenes at elevated temperatures.
Source- Klein Manual of Mineralogy .
 DESCRIPTION OF COMMON AMPHIBOLES WITH
PHYSICAL,OPTICAL PROPERTIES,OCCURENCES,VARIETIES, etc.

1)Anthophyllite – (Mg,Fe2+)7 Si8O22(OH)2

Physical Properties- Orthorhombic; Perfect 2 set cleavage; Form is

Prismatic , Radiating Fibrous ; Brown Colour ; Vitreous Lustre ;
Transparent to Subtranslucent ; H-5.5-6;SG-3-3.2 increasing with iron
content.
Optical Properties- Elongated, Prismatic Form; Colourless , Yellowish
and Greenish Colour in Thin Section upon rotation so it is Pleochroic ;
Straight Extinction ; Biaxial – ve.
Variety- Amosite
Occurrence-Found in certain Metamorphic Rocks such as
Anthophyllite Schist and Gneiss . Ultimately derived from basic to
ultrabasic igneous rocks.
Fig- Anthophyllite Hand Fig-Anthophyllite Thin
Specimen Section PPL

Fig- Anthophyllite Thin

Section XPL
2)Tremolite-Actinolite Series
Composition-Varying from non aluminous calcium magnesium silicate
Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 Tremolite to Calcium Magnesium Iron Silicate
Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 Actinolite.

Physical Properties- Monoclinic; Form is Slender or Blade Like Prisms also

columnar , fibrous , radiating , compact and granular ; Cleavage is Perfect Parallel to
Prism (110) angle is 56 deg. ; Tremolite is white or dark grey in color , Actinolite is
green. Vitreous Lustre ; Transparent to Translucent ; H-5-6; SG-2.9-3.2 increasing
with iron content as iron is dense.

Optical Properties-Color of Tremolite is colorless , Actinolite is green;Tremolite

pleochroic in shades of Yellow and Green; RI is High ; Birefringence is Strong; Second
Order Interference Color ; Inclined Extinction (15-18);Biaxial –ve both Tremolite and
Actinolite.

Varieties- Asbestos , Nephrite . Asbestos fibrous variety of Tremolite and Actinolite.

Occurrence-Tremolite and Actinolite occur in metamorphic rocks of diverse kinds.

Fig- Tremolite Hand Fig- Tremolite under PPL Fig- Tremolite under
Specimen XPL

Fig- Actinolite Hand Fig- Actinolite under

Fig- Actinolite under PPL
Specimen XPL
 Asbestos
o Minerologically , asbestos include fibrous forms of amphibole .

o The fibers are generally long,fine, flexible and easily separated by

the fingers.

o Asbestos name is given to those minerals which are fibrous and can
be spun into fibers.

o The term asbestos in strictest sense is confined to fibrous forms of

actinolite but commercial asbestos contain a few added varieties.

o Actinolite(Asbestos Proper) , Amosite (Anthophyllite) and

Crocidolite (blue fibrous asbestos variety of Na amphibole
Riebeckite) are some of the members of Amphibole group included
in Commercial Asbestos.
Fig- Varieties of Commercial Asbestos
3)Hornblende Series.
Composition- (Ca,Mg,Fe,Na,Al)7-8(Al,Si)8O22(OH)2
Physical Properties-Monoclinic ; Prismatic , Massive or Granular
Form;Twinning-Present; Two set perfect cleavage at nearly 120 deg ;
Colour is black or greenish black ; Vitreous Lustre ; Uneven Fracture;
H- 5-6; SG-3-3.47.
Optical Properties-Cleavage basal sections 2 set cut at 120 deg,
prismatic sections 1 set; Yellow , Green , Brown colour and
Pleochroic in these colours ; RI is High and Birefringence is strong ;
Second Order Interference Color ; Biaxial – ve ; Inclined Extinction
(18 to 20 deg)
Varieties- Edenite , Pargasite and Basaltic Hornblende.
Occurrence-It occurs as primary mineral in Acid and Intermediate
Igneous Rocks . Metamorphic Occurrence in Hornblende Gneiss and
Schist and Amphibolites.
Fig- Hornblende Hand
Fig - Hornblende in PPL
Specimen

Fig- Hornblende in XPL

4)Alkali Amphiboles
a)Glaucophane
Composition-Na2(Mg,Fe)3(Al,Fe3+)Si8O22(OH)2

Physical Properties- Monoclinic, Prismatic ,fibrous , massive or

granular forms ; Perfect Cleavage ; Color is Blue , Bluish Grey , Bluish
Black; Vitreous ; Translucent ; H – 6-6.5 ; SG – 3-3.1

Optical Properties-Color is Blue , Violet , Yellow , Green and is

Pleochroic in these shades; Inclined Extinction (5 deg); Biaxial – ve

Occurrence-In Blueschist Facies Rocks in Subduction Zones and also

as constituent of Sedimentary Rocks.
Fig- Glaucophane Hand
Fig- Glaucophane in PPL
Specimen

Fig- Glaucophane in XPL

b)Riebeckite
Composition-Na2(Fe2+)3(Fe3+)2Si8O22(OH)2

Physical Properties-Monoclinic;Form is Prismatic ,radiating and

shapeless aggregates;Perfect Prismatic Cleavage;Color is Blue or
Nearly Black; Vitreous Lustre ; H-4; SG-3-3.43.

Optical Properties-Form is shapeless aggregates of needles ; Strongly

Pleochroic in deep blue to green;Birefringence low ; Interference
Colour masked by Body Colour.

Varieties- Crocidolite is a variety of Riebeckite , indigo blue in colour

and fibrous in structure and forming a variety of commercial blue
colored asbestos.

Occurrence- As constituent of Acid Igneous Rocks rich in Soda ,

Riebeckite Granite , Riebeckite Granophyre.
Fig- Riebeckite Hand Specimen Fig-Riebeckite Thin Section

Fig- Arfvedsonite Hand Specimen Fig-Arfvedsonite Thin Section

c)Arfvedsonite
Composition- Sodium Magnesium Aluminium Silicate ;
Na3Mg4AlSi8O22(OH)2
Physical Properties-Monoclinic ;Elongated ,Prismatic Crystals;
Perfect Cleavage;Black Colour ; Vitreous Lustre ;Opaque ; H-6; SG-
3.45
Optical Properties-Strongly Pleochroic in Blue and Yellow.
Varieties-Kataphorite and Barkevikite are varieties of Arfvedsonite
which show brownish pleochroic schemes.
Occurence_- In Soda Rich Igneous Rocks such as Nepheline Syenite
and Related Pegmatites.
 GEOLOGY OF AMPHIBOLES
• To study geological dristibution of amphiboles first we see that
thay are hydrous , as hydroxyl (OH) is an important constituent of
the structure means that amphiboles are not stable in anhydrous
environments.Very high T would cause their dehydration tom form
pyroxenes.
• As their Si:O ratio is more so they are found in more Si rich rocks as
compared to Pyroxenes , Olivines etc.
• Not found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks as these rocks
have low Si content , low dissolved water and crystallise at high T.
• Amphiboles crystallise late when residual melt is enriched both in
Si and H2O and T is lower.
• Found in rocks of intermediate to mafic composition subjected to
med to high grade regional metamorphic conditions as
Amphibolite Facies about 10-15 km depth , 5kbar P and at 500-700
deg C.
Fig- Abundance of Amphibole Minerals based on their SiO2 percent.
 INDIAN OCCURENCES OF AMPHIBOLES
• Asbestos occur in India in Bihar, Karnataka , Uttar Pradesh ,
AndhraPradesh,Rajasthan, Manipur , Assam , Orissa , Jharkhand ,
Tamilnadu and Maharashtra.

• Assam- Asbestos of Tremolite from Mishit in a Serpentine Rock.

• Jharkhand and Orissa – Tremolite Asbestos found in Seraikela and

Munbhum in Jharkhand and Mayurbhanj in Orisssa.

• Karnataka – Amphibole Asbestos found in Hassan and Bangalore

Districts of Karnataka.

• Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh – Tremolite Asbstos fibers occur in

small quantity in Marghisha Jobat and Other Places.
 USES OF AMPHIBOLES
1) Actinolite,Amosite , Anthophyllite and Crocidolite Riebeckite are
used as Commercial Asbestos.
2) Nephrite,the amphibole form of Jade is carved into ornaments
and before discovery of metals it is used extensively for tools and
weapons.
3) Thermal Insulation.
4) Short fibrous Asbestiform Amphiboles are used in paints and
drilling mud additive.
 CONCLUSION
• Amphibole term was first used by Rene Just Hauy.

• Amphibole (/ˈæmfəboʊl/) is a group of inosilicate minerals,

forming prism or needlelike crystals,composed of double
chain SiO4 tetrahedra, linked at the vertices and generally
containing ions of iron and/or magnesium in their structures.
Its IMA symbol is Amp .

• Amphiboles can be green, black, colorless, white, yellow, blue,

or brown. The International Mineralogical Association
 currently classifies amphiboles as a mineral supergroup,
within which are two groups and several subgroups.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Rutley’s Elements of Mineralogy , 26th Edition (1976). Page No-
390-399.
2. William D. Nesse , Introduction to Mineralogy , Oxford University
Press (2000) . Page No-277-288 .
3. Manual of Mineralogy 20th Edition By Cornelius Klein and
Hurlbut. Page No- 410-418.
4. http://www.alexstrekeisen.it/english/pluto/amphiboles.php
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibole#:~:text=Amphibole%2
0(%2F%CB%88%C3%A6mf,or%20magnesium%20in%20their%20
structures
.
6. http://microckscopic.ro/minerals/silicates/inosilicates/double-c
hain-inosilicates/hornblende-thin-section/
7. mindat.org
8. sciencephoto.com
THANK YOU