Metamorphic Petrology

Recommended Prerequisites

The sudant must have solid  knowledge of Mineralogy, General Geology, General Chemistry, General Physics, Igneous Petrology, Sedimentary Petrology and must be able to read and understand English.

Teaching Methods

Expositive theoretical lectures and problem solving. These classes precede TP and PL classes. PL classes take place at the Petrography Laboratory, where a magnifying glass, binocular magnifying glass, petrographic microscope and hand samples and thin sections are used. In TP classes, questions are solved, phase diagrams are constructed and specific software is used. Field class: observation of deposit modes and mesoscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the rocks; guided sample collection and sample referencing.

Learning Outcomes

Provide the student with essential knowledge to:

1) To be able to describe in oral and written form the characteristics of the main types of metamorphic rocks and their formation processes, using specific terminology.

2) Be able to explain what physical-chemical processes and chemical reactions occur in metamorphism.

3) Demonstrate the positioning of metamorphic processes in the petrogenetic cycle and the relationship between metamorphism and global tectonic processes.

4) Characterize and classify metamorphic rocks using methodologies and laboratory and field techniques;

5) Knowing how to relate fabrics, structure, texture, mineralogy and chemical composition of metamorphic rocks with their protolites and petrogenetic processes.

6) To be able to determine metamorphic paths.

7) Investigate autonomously and resolve issues not taught in class.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Definition, limits of metamorphism and insertion of metamorphism in the petrogenetic cycle.

2. Factors and types of metamorphism; classification of metamorphic rocks and their criteria.

3. Fabric, structures, textures of metamorphic rocks and their origins.

4. Mineralogy of metamorphic rocks and compositional groups of metamorphic rocks.

5. Critical minerals, isogrades, zones and paragenetic associations.

6. Chemical reactions, balance in metamorphism, construction of phase diagrams.

7. Metamorphic paths, geothermometers, geobarometers and blast-deformation relationships.

8. Metamorphism facies and series and their relationship with the various types of metamorphism (contact, orogenic, static, dynamic, hydrothermal) and with global tectonic processes.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Frequency: 30.0%
Exam: 30.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 40.0%

Bibliography

Best, M.G. (2002). Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. 2nd. 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.

Vernon, R.H. (2004) - A pratical guide to rock microstructure. Cambridge University Press, 594 pp.

Vernon, R.H e Clarke, G. L. (2009). Principles of Metamorphic Petrology. Cambridge University Press, 446 pp.

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

Yardley, B.W.D; MacKenzie, W.S., Guilford, C. (1997). versão espanhola - Atlas de rocas metamórficas e sus texturas. Masson, 120 pp.