Petrography with Laboratory 1
Module Laboratory of Petrography

Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: PATRIZIA FIANNACCA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Acquisition of the knowledge and advanced capacity of understanding mineralogical-petrographic data and technical language, aimed to the determination of  the structural and compositional features of the rocks.  Acquisition of the skills necessary for the application of the base knowledge to the identification, classification and characterization of  magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentalry rocks.

Course Structure

In presence

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it might be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Mineralogy

Detailed Course Content

Hand sample and thin section identification and description of the structural and mineralogical features of the  main magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.  Characterization and classification of the main magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks through the elaboration of structural and mineralogical data. Handling and interpretation of geochemical data aimed to the petrographic characterization of the rocks.

Textbook Information

Atlases

Crespi R., Liborio G., Mottana A. “Minerali e Rocce”. Mondadori, Milano, 2004.

Peccerillo A., Perugini D. Introduzione alla petrografia ottica. E-book; Peccerillo A. & Perugini D. (2003): Introduzione alla Petrografia ottica. Morlacchi, pp. 200 e CD-ROM interattivo.

Raith M.M., Raase P. & Reinhardt J. (2011): Guide to Thin Section Microscopy. Michael M. Raith, Peter Raase & Jürgen Reinhardt. e-book 

Pichler H. & Schmitt-Riegraf C. (1997): Rock-forming minerals in thin sections. Chapman & Hall, pp. 220.

Mackenzie W.S., Donaldson C. H., Guilford, C. Atlante delle rocce magmatiche e delle loro microstrutture. Zanichelli, Bologna

Adams A. E., Mackenzie W.S., Guilford C.  Atlante delle rocce Sedimentarie al microscopio.  Zanichelli, Bologna

Yardley B.W.D., Mackenzie W.S., Guilford C.Atlante delle rocce metamorfiche e delle loro microstrutture. Zanichelli, Bologna.

Vernon R.H. (2004): A practical guide to rock microstructure. Cambridge, pp. 594.

Classification

Le Maitre R.W. (2002): Igneous Rocks. A classification and Glossary of terms. Cambridge University Press, pp. 236.

L. Morbidelli (2014). Le rocce e i loro costituenti. Seconda edizione. Bardi Ed., Roma

Fettes D. & Desmons J. (2007): Metamorphic rocks: A Classification and Glossary terms. Cambridge, pp. 244.

LINKS

www.whitman.edu/geology/winter

www.bgs.ac.uk/SCMR/products.html

www.atlantepetro.unito.it/page.asp

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Rock classification criteria. Identification and description of igneous rock structures at the mesoscale. Hand sample identification of the most common magmatic minerals.         
2Microscopic identification and description of the main  structures and mineral phases of intrusive igneous rocks.  
3Microscopic identification and description of the main  structures and mineral phases of effusive igneous rocks.  
4Description and IUGS classification of intrusive rocks at the mesoscopic scale.   
5Description and IUGS classification of volcanic and pyroclastic rocks at the mesoscopic scale. Description and IUGS classification of intrusive and effusive rocks at the microscopic scale 
6Microscopic description and IUGS classification of effusive and pyroclastic rocks 
7Determination of the plagioclase anorthite on Albite and Albite-Carlsbad twins. Scheme of amphibole pleochroism. Writing a petrographic report
8Microscopic petrography: magmatic rocks
9Microscopic petrography: magmatic rocks.  Crystallization relationships in porphyritic granitoid rocks. Symplectites.
10Identification, description and classification of intrusive and effusive igneous rocks.          
11Classification and geochemical characterization of igneous rocks.  
12Sedimentary rocks. Major categories and their structures. Description and classification of terrigenous rocks at the mesoscopic scale. Microscopic petrography: terrigeneous rocks
13Description and classification of carbonate rocks at the meso- and microscale. Microscopic Petrography: carbonate rocks
14Chemical and biochemical rocks. Description and mesoscopic classification of terrigenous, carbonate, chemical and biochemical rocks.
15Microscopic petrography: magmatic and sedimentary rocks
16Mesoscopic description and classification of igneous and sedimentary rocks.
17Identification and description of  the structures of metamorphic rocks at the meso- and microscale. Identification of the most common minerals
18Structural classification of metamorphic rocks and specific terms (SCMR). Microscopic petrography: metapelitic rocks        
19Microscopic petrography: metapelitic rocks
20Microscopic petrography: metabasic rocks
21Identification, description and classification of  metamorphic rocks at the mesoscale
22Microscopic petrography: metabasic rocks
23Microscopic petrography: metacarbonates, orthogneiss, mylonites
24Microscopic petrography: magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic  rocks
25Microscopic petrography: magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic  rocks
26Hand sample petrography: magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic  rocks

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Identification, description and classification of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rock samples at mesoscopic and microscopic scale.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Identification, description and classification of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rock samples at mesoscopic and microscopic scale.
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