Dear Students, welcome to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology module. It is only designed for students enrolled in Geology year 3.
Brief description of aims and content
The module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of igneous and metamorphic petrology. It provides understanding on the importance of mineralogy and rock texture to the interpretation of igneous and metamorphic rocks and an appreciation of the links between petrology, geochemistry, time scale and geodynamics (plate tectonics).
Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
A.1. Understand the role of magmatism in global evolution throughout earth history.
A.2. Characterize the variety of igneous rocks exposed at the earth’s surface and establish relationships among them.
A.3. Interpret and analyze phase diagrams to understand igneous and metamorphic processes
A.4. Summarize magma formation in a global geodynamic context
A.5. Interpret how mineral assemblages relate to chemical composition and pressure-temperature conditions of formation.
A.6. Explain the links between metamorphic processes, plate tectonics and geological time
B. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of Knowledge
On successful completion of the Module students should be able to:
B.1. Identify the common rock forming minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks in both hand specimen and thin-section.
B.2. Identify key textural/micro structural features of igneous and metamorphic rocks and appreciate the significance of such features with regard to geological processes that have taken place.
B.3. Assign a name to an igneous or metamorphic rock on the basis of its mineralogical and textural characteristics, and appreciate the environment(s) of formation.
B.4. Explain the petrogenesis and evolution of igneous rocks using geochemical data
C. Practical Knowledge/ Professional Skills
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
C.1. Rock/mineral identification in hand specimen and in thin-section using a transmitted light microscope.
C.2. Ability to interpret phase diagrams relevant to igneous systems and petrogenic grids relevant to metamorphic systems on the basis of mineral assemblages recorded in the rock.
C.3. Ability to make detailed and annotated petrographic sketches from thin-section observation and to summarize the salient features and relate the chemistry of the system to the environment of formation.
C.4. Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages
Indicative Content
Igneous petrology: Current igneous activity, melting and crystallization processes, magmatic differentiation, binary and ternary phase diagrams in igneous petrology, major and trace elements in igneous processes, isotopic variations in igneous rocks, magma source regions, suites of magmatic rocks (alkaline, calc-alkaline and tholeiitic), styles of volcanism, classification of igneous rocks, origin of basalts, andesites, granites, alkaline rocks, and carbonatites, cumulate rocks, igneous rocks of the Archean. Geochemistry of igneous rocks, magmatism at different tectonic environments, laboratory work to identify minerals of igneous rocks using transmitted light microscope.
Metamorphic Petrology: Classification of metamorphic rocks, characteristic mineral assemblages of meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous rocks, metamorphic textures, controls on metamorphism and metamorphic processes, metamorphic facies, metasomatic rocks, metamorphic equilibrium and phase diagrams, interrelations between metamorphism and deformation. Laboratory work to identify minerals of metamorphic rocks using transmitted light microscope.
The module aims to introduce the geology of Rwanda, with particular emphasis on field camp location and an introduction to both digital and traditional techniques of geological field study. This module is conducted as a series of weekly lectures and a series of field projects. The field projects have been designed to apply the knowledge gained in lectures and provide practical experience in field geology. Students will also complete assignments which apply the principles of the main topics covered in the lectures.
Igneous petrology: Current igneous activity, melting and crystallization processes, magmatic differentiation, binary and ternary phase diagrams in igneous petrology, major and trace elements in igneous processes, isotopic variations in igneous rocks, magma source regions, suites of magmatic rocks (alkaline, calc-alkaline and tholeiitic), styles of volcanism, classification of igneous rocks, origin of basalts, andesites, granites, alkaline rocks, and carbonatites, cumulate rocks, igneous rocks of the Archean.Geochemistry of igneous rocks, magmatism at different tectonic environments, laboratory work to identify minerals of igneous rocks using transmitted light microscope.
Metamorphic Petrology: Classification of metamorphic rocks, characteristic mineral assemblages of meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous rocks, metamorphic textures, controls on metamorphism and metamorphic processes, metamorphic facies, metasomatic rocks, metamorphic equilibrium and phase diagrams, interrelations between metamorphism and deformation. Laboratory work to identify minerals of metamorphic rocks using transmitted light microscope is required.
