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| Unit name |
Igneous Petrology |
| Unit code |
EASC30057 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Jon Blundy |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
All mandatory units in first and second year Geology programmes.
|
| Co-requisites |
N/A
|
| School/department |
School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit builds on knowledge and skills learned in the Mineralogy and Petrology unit in year 2 of the Geology programmes (EASC20035). The following topics will be explored:
- Melting of crust and mantle rocks
- Crystallisation of magmas, including kinetics
- Volatile solubility in silicate melts
- Application of ternary phase diagrams to igneous petrology
- Methods of constraining magmatic variables, such as pressure, temperature, redox state
- Case studies of selected volcanoes to illustrate crustal magmatic processes
- Links between petrology and volcano monitoring
- Application of thermodynamics to igneous processes
- Experimental petrology
- Microbeam analysis
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
- Understand melting and crystallisation processes with the Earth’s crust and mantle
- Understand the controls on trace element distribution within the Earth
- Understand the controls of volcanic gas chemistry
- Determine magmatic intensive parameters using mineral and glass chemistry
- Be aware of the different types of experimental and analytical equipment used in petrology
- Link magmatic processes to the volcanic and plutonic rocks they produce
- Use complex phase diagrams to interpret igneous rocks and their textures
- Use thermodynamic data to describe igneous processes
- Understand the links between magmatism and mineralisation
- Describe the eruptive history of several case study volcanoes
- Understand the importance of heat in driving crustal magmatism
Teaching Information
15 Lectures and 5 practicals
Assessment Information
3-hour closed examination (100%). This written exam will include questions based on the entire course.
Practicals will not be marked but individual feedback will be given.
Reading and References
Background reading
- Cox, Bell & Pankhurst, The Interpretation of Igneous Rocks (Allen & Unwin)
- Philpotts, Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (Prentice Hall)
- Wood & Fraser, Elementary Thermodynamics for Geologists (Oxford University Press)
- Gill, Igneous Rocks and Processes (Wiley Blackwell)
