Igneous Petrology

Recommended Prerequisites

The required course units are: Mineralogy, General Geology and General Chemistry.

The students should have a comprehensive knowledge of the principles for the classification of minerals and also for the physical and optical characteristics of minerals that allow their identification.

The prerequisites skills include the ability to study minerals on a mesoscopic and microscopic scales and to read and understand Basic English.

Teaching Methods

Theorical: expository teaching using audiovisual means to facilitate the understanding of concepts, models and methodologies.

Practical and laboratory: application of the concepts introduced in Unit 1to describe and classify igneous rocks at mesoscopic and microscopic scales; classification of igneous rocks using the Microsoft Excel tool and specific software for ternary diagrams; search for books and websites to perform petrographic reports.

Fieldwork: observation of modes of emplacement and macroscopic and mesoscopic characteristics of igneous rocks; sampling methods.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1) To recognize the characteristics of the main types of igneous rocks;
2) To understand the physical and chemical processes related to the origin and differentiation of magmas and igneous rocks;
3) To understand the relationship between magmatism and tectonic environments;
4) To characterize and classify igneous rocks using appropriate field and laboratory methods and techniques;
5) To relate the fabric, structure, texture, mineralogy and chemical composition of magmatic rocks with the processes of formation and the principles of magmatic differentiation;
6) Ability to communicate in oral and written language the characteristics of igneous rocks and their processes of formation using specific terminology;
7) Ability to understand independently examples 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.

3. Systematic of igneous rocks.

3.1. Mafic and ultramafic rocks.

3.2. Intermediate rocks.

3.3. Acid rocks.

3.4. Alkaline rocks.

4. Rock suites and global tectonics.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Manuela da Vinha Guerreiro da Silva

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 10.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 10.0%
Other: 10.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Best, M.G. & Christiansen, E.H. (2001). Igneous Petrology. W.H. Freeman.

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

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.

Winter, J.D. (2001). An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.