Ternary Diagram Geology. For example sandstones are commonly composed of quartz two main types of feldspar and various types of rock fragments called lithics as well as other types of grains. Like the qfl diagram this ternary graph uses the specifications published in 1983 by dickinson.
A ternary diagram is a triangle with each of the three apexes representing a composition such as sandstone shale and limestone. The qap ternary diagram is used to classify igneous rocks with visible mineral grains phaneritic texture from their feldspar and quartz content. In this diagram the mineral x y z shows limited solid solution with variable amounts of z substituting for y.
For the moment they are labeled a b and c.
Also shown is the binary system x y that contains the intermediate compound w. We are going to take the diagram apart to see how it works. This ternary diagram shows how feldspar minerals are classified on the basis of their chemical composition. Similarly mineral x 2 z y shows limited solid solution of y substituting for z.
