Igneous Petrology

Recommended Prerequisites

The required course units: Mineralogy, General Geology and General Chemistry. The ability to read and to understand Basic English.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical teaching: expository, using audio-visual media and asking questions.

Laboratory teaching: description and classification of igneous rocks at the mesoscopic and microscopic scales, using binocular microscope, polarizing microscope and point counter. Resolution of exercises about magmatic rock classification; bibliographic research; petrographic reports and use of specific computer programas. Fieldwork: observation of deposit modes and mesoscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the rocks; sampling and referencing.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit, students should be able to:

1) Know the characteristics of the main types of igneous rocks;

2) Explain the physical-chemical processes that are at the origin and differentiation of magmas and igneous rocks;

3) Explain the relationship between magmatism and tectonic frameworks;

4) Characterize and classify igneous rocks using appropriate field and laboratory methods and techniques;

5) Know how to relate the physical characteristics, mineralogy and chemical composition of igneous rocks to the processes of their formation and the principles of magmatic differentiation;

6) Communicate, in written and oral form, the characteristics of igneous rocks and their formation processes, using specific terminology;

7) Carry out modal analyzes and petrographic reports;

8) Investigate, autonomously, problemas not taught in formal classes.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

1.1. Magmas, lavas, intrusive rocks and extrusive rocks

1.2. Structure, texture, mineralogy, chemistry, and classification of igneous rocks

2. ORIGIN AND DIVERSITY OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

2.1. Origin, ascent, differentiation and emplacement of magmas

2.2. Crystallization of magmas and lavas

2.3. The role of volatiles

2.4. The Bowen’s series

2.5. Magma mixing

2.6. Phase diagrams in Igneous Petrology

3. SYSTEMATIC OF IGNEOUS ROCKS - MINERALOGY, STRUCTURES, TEXTURES, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PETROGENESIS OF:

3.1. Ultrabasic and basic rocks

3.2. Intermediate rocks

3.3. Acid rocks

3.4. Alkaline rocks

4. ROCK SUITES AND GLOBAL TECTONICS

4.1. Magmatism in intraplate and distension settings

4.2. Magmatism in collisional settings-arcs

4.3. Magmatism in continental collision

4.4. Anarogenic magmatic rocks.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 20.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 30.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

Best, M.G. (2002). Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. 2^nd. edit. Wiley-Blackwell, 752 pp.

Blatt, H., Tracy, R.J. e Owens, B.E. (2006). Petrology-Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic  (3ª edição). W.H. Freeman and Company, 530 pp.

Frost B.R. & Frost, C.D. (2013). Essentials of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Cambridge University Press, 314 pp.

Le Maitre, R.W., Streckeisen, A., Zanettin, B., Le Bas, M.J., Bonin,B., Bateman, P., Bellieni, G., Dudek, A., Efremova, S., Keller, J., Lameyre, J., Sabine, P.A., Schmid, R., Sorensen, H., Woolley, A.R. (2002). Igneous Rocks. A classification and glossary of terms. Cambridge Univesity Press, Cambridge, 236 pp.

MacKenzie, W.S.; Donaldson, C.H.; Guilford, C. (1996). Atlas de rocas ígneas y sus texturas. (Tradução espanhola). Masson, 149 pp.

Winter, J.D. (2013). Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Pearson New, 720 pp.