What are Rock Type and Rock Class?
Rock Type and Rock Class seem confusing to everyone. The basic way that NAVDAT is set up is that there are 4 levels to naming a sample. • Level 1 – The highest level classification. This is usually assumed to be “igneous,” but can be sedimentary or metamorphic. • Level 2 – Next level of breakdown. For igneous rocks, this is volcanic or plutonic. This level is equal to “Rock Type” in our data entry schema. • Level 3 – Basic chemical classification. Mafic, intermediate, felsic, etc. • Level 4 – The name you actually call a rock. This would be basalt, granite, etc. This level is equal to “Rock Class” which is short for Rock Classification in our data entry schema. How does NAVDAT establish these names? When data is uploaded and parsed, the Rock Type (level 2) and Rock Class (level 4) are required fields in the data file. The parser takes these and computes the Level 1 and Level 3 names. For example, if you enter volcanic and rhyolite, NAVDAT calls these felsic igneous rocks. To look at th
