Earth Materials and Internal Processes

Description

Topics include:

  • Geochemistry of planet Earth, solar and meteorite studies and composition of the primitive solar nebula
  • Mineral structure and composition with particular reference to the main rock-forming mineral groups
  • X-ray diffraction studies of minerals
  • Magmas: origins and mechanisms of production in various global tectonic settings
  • Magma ascent, and processes operating in magma chambers
  • Fractional crystallization
  • Emplacement of magmas at high crustal levels and the extrusion of volcanic material
  • Major and trace element geochemistry; the use of one- and two-component phase diagrams in understanding magma origins and evolution; applications of radiogenic isotopes
  • Identification of rocks and minerals in hand specimen
  • Introduction to the use of the petrological microscope

Delivery

  • Lectures 20 hours
  • Lab practicals 40 hours

Assessment

  • 60% examination: one two hour paper. This is split into two sections (A and B) one on materials and one on internal processes. Students to answer 2 questions from each section
  • 40% class test: involving hand specimens of rocks and minerals and thin sections of rocks linked to a problem map or cross section. Taken in the final week of term

Key skills

  • Identification of minerals and rocks in hand specimen
  • Use of the petrological microscope to identify minerals and to recognise a wide range of igneous rocks and some metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
  • Use of geochemical and experimental data to support models of magma genesis and magmatic evolution – particularly to become competent in the use of one and two component phase diagrams and chemical variation diagrams