1. Mineral Groups ‐ Silicates and
Carbonates
Earth Science – 2nd Semester

2. • Minerals can be
classified into groups
based on their
composi;on.

3. Silicates
• The two most abundant
minerals in earth’s
con6nental crust are
silicon and oxygen.
• These two elements
combine to form a new
structure called the
silicon –oxygen
tetrahedron.

4. • The tetrahedron
consists of one silicon
atom and four oxygen
atoms.
• It provides the
framework for every
silicate mineral,

5. Ex. Quartz.

6. • The internal structure
of the atoms will affect
the proper6es of the
atom.
• Example: Olivine – very
hard mineral, made
from millions of
tetrahedron bonded
together.

7. • Mica – the tetrahedron join together to form
sheets.

8. • Quartz – Formed by
three‐dimensional
networks of
tetrahedron

9. • Silicate minerals crystallize from magma as it cools.
• The type of mineral that forms is a result of the
pressure and temperature of the environment of
forma;on.

10. • Example: Olivine will crystallize at temperatures of
about 1200 °C, under great pressure below the
surface.
• Quartz will crystallize at 700 °C close to the surface.

11. • Silicate minerals such as clay minerals can form at
the surface when exposed to the elements and
broken down, a process known as weathering.

12. • Some silicate minerals
only form from the
pressure caused by
tectonic plates grinding
together to build
mountains.

13. • Geologists oSen use
silicate minerals as
evidence to tell them
under what condi;ons
the mineral formed
under.
• This in turn can help
geologists to determine
how the planet looked
millions of years ago.

14. Carbonates
• Second most common
mineral group.
• These are minerals that
contain the elements
carbon, oxygen, and
one or more metallic
elements.

15. • Ex. calcite
• Dolomite – magnesium
and calcium

16. • These minerals are
found in the rocks
limestone and marble,
which are used heavily
in construc;on and
building.