Ternary Diagram Plotting
Ternary Diagram

Figure 02. MgO, FeO, and Na2O ternary diagram. Mass data are shown on this diagram for selected Hawaiian volcanic rocks from the PETROS Igneous Rock Database. Click on the diagram for a larger version with more information.



The graph on the right shows the same data on a ternary diagram. On the ternary diagram, the data pattern is similar to the pattern in the X-Y plot on the previous page. You can still see the inverse correllation between MgO and FeO. But it is also more clear that Na2O increases as FeO increases. Furthermore, it is evident that Na2O increases dramatically at low MgO values. Click on the diagram to see a larger image.

Figure 03. X-Y graph of MgO, FeO, and Na2O. Plotting positions for for each of the oxides are shown. Click on the diagram for a larger, interactive version with more information.



On the X-Y plot of Figure 01, a rock with 100% Na2O plots at the origin (0% MgO and 0% Feo). With the positions of pure (100%) MgO and pure FeO plotting on the axes, the three components define a right triange. See Figure 03. On a ternary diagram, the graph has has been "sheared" to make the blue right triangle into an equiliateral triangle so that one component plots at each of the three corners. To see a cartesian X-Y graph transform into a ternary

Figure 04. Ternary plotting. The relationship of a standard cartesian X-Y graph to a ternary diagram is revealed by this figure. Click on the diagram for a larger, interactive version with more information.

diagram, click on Figure 04 and use the slider.

Ternary diagrams are used a lot by petrologists, so all students of petrology should learn to plot data on ternary diagrams and be able to read data from ternary diagrams. Plotting and reading ternary diagrams is aided by the gridlines, tick marks, or constant ratio lines. To see the meaning of the

Figure 05. Ternary plotting isovalue lines. . To see isovalue lines for weight percentages of the three components or for weight percentage ratios, click on the diagram for a larger, interactive version with more information.

ternary gridlines click on Figure 05 and select each of the radio buttons. Horizontal gridlines show the percentage of the component at the top. Gridlines inclined to the right show the percentage of the component on the right. Gridlines inclined to the left show the percentage of the component on the left. Because only two percentages are needed to plot a data point, the third percentage can always be used to check that your plotting or reading is correct.

Ternary plotting is not difficult, but most people need some practice to get it right. Try your hand at ternary diagram plotting

Or simply read the summary page and check out the ternary plotting aids.    

>