So this semester I am teaching petrology lab. As a sedimentologist this is slightly terrifying but as a geochemist, I'm excited! However, there is one thing both sides agree on:
Sanidine vs. Plagioclase.
My students have their first lab practical this week and its on volcanic rocks. I can help them identify almost every mineral they have seen in thin section except sanidine, for which I have apologized profusely and assured them it gets easier from here.
