Petrography and elements of mineralogy

Learn to recognize, describe, and correctly classify rocks and minerals through mesoscopic visual analysis of samples.

Furthermore, in line with the Dublin Descriptors, this course contributes to the development of the following transversal skills:

Knowledge and understanding

• Ability to reason inductively and deductively.
• Ability to schematize a natural phenomenon in terms of scalar and vector physical quantities.
• Ability to set up a problem using appropriate temporal relationships between petrogenetic processes in different geodynamic contexts and solve it using graphical, analytical, or numerical methods.
• Ability to recognize simple geometric elements in natural samples of rocks and minerals and three-dimensional models and to use scientific instruments to carry out experimental tests.
• Ability to perform statistical analysis of data.
• Understanding of the physical characteristics of the minerals that make up rocks.

Ability to apply knowledge

• Ability to apply acquired knowledge to describe rock and mineral outcrops and structures using rigorous scientific methods.
• Ability to identify elements of symmetry in three-dimensional models and to represent rock compositions on ternary diagrams is also required.

Autonomy of judgement

• Critical thinking.
• Ability to select the most appropriate methods for the critical analysis, interpretation, and processing of experimental data.

The ability to identify the predictions of a theory or model.

The ability to evaluate the accuracy of measurements and the sensitivity and selectivity of the techniques used.

Communication skills:

The ability to present a scientific topic orally using the appropriate language and terminology to illustrate its rationale and results.

The ability to describe a scientific topic in writing using the correct terminology and illustrating the rationale and results.

The course is delivered through lectures and in-class exercises. If necessary, distance learning via the Teams platform will also be available.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs)

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to arrange for any compensatory and/or accommodative measures, based on the course objectives and their specific needs.

You may also contact the faculty liaison.

CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration—Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities) of our department, Prof. Gabriele Lanzafame.

Mandatory. Attendance will be recorded by the instructor.

Specific exemptions are granted in accordance with the current undergraduate degree program regulations.

Lecture Topics:

PART 1

General characteristics of the Earth’s structure and composition. The rock cycle and petrogenetic processes. Rocks and geodynamic environments. Definition of a mineral. The crystalline state. Morphological crystallography: elements of symmetry. Structural crystallography: From Hauy to the crystal lattice. Unit cells. The crystal lattice. Crystal groups and systems. Introduction to crystal chemistry: the unit cells of the main minerals constituting rocks, solid solutions, and the significance of bonds in crystal structures. Introduction to the thermodynamics of igneous and metamorphic rocks (binary diagrams, ternary diagrams).

PART 2

• Magmatic rocks: genesis, depositional characteristics, identification, and classification (QAPF and TAS diagrams).
• Metamorphic rocks: genesis, depositional characteristics, identification, and classification (concept of metamorphic facies).
• Sedimentary rocks: genesis, identification, and classification. Pyroclastic rocks. Evaporite rocks.

1. Definition of a mineral;
2. Internal structure of the Earth;
3. What are solid solutions of minerals?
4. Classification of minerals;
5. Silicates;
6. Coordination polyhedra and structural formulas of the main minerals;
7. Elements of symmetry (center, planes, axes of symmetry) and their identification on three-dimensional models;
8. Petrogenetic processes (sedimentary, magmatic, and metamorphic);
9. Mesoscopic identification of mineral samples and rock classification;
10. Basic concepts of morphological and structural crystallography: polymorphism, isomorphism, and isomorphous mixtures;
11. The compositional and structural characteristics of silicates;
12. Structural formulae and composition of some of the most common families of silicates;
13. What are magmas? Where do they solidify? What is viscosity, and what factors control its variations?
14. The modes of magma crystallization.
15. The structures, minerals, and classification of igneous rocks.
16. The metamorphic process and the factors that control it.
17. The most common structures and nomenclature in metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic grade and general concepts regarding metamorphic facies.
18. The rock cycle.
19. The Earth’s internal structure.
20. Petrological composition of the Earth’s layers.
21. Sedimentary rocks and terrigenous, organogenic, and chemical petrogenetic processes.
22. Typical occurrences of rocks based on their petrogenesis.