IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to understand and investigate the processes responsible for the genesis and diversification of igneous and metamorphic rocks in specific tectonic settings and geodynamic environments, as well as their role in the evolution of the continental crust.

Within the scope of the topics covered, the course will foster the following competencies:

Knowledge and understanding

 - Petrological investigation techniques and their applications.

- Petrogenetic models.

- Generation, ascent, and emplacement of anatectic magmas.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will develop the ability to use, interpret, and integrate petrographic, geochemical, and geochronological data to reconstruct the evolution of magmatic and metamorphic systems. These skills will also be developed through laboratory activities involving the use of the polarizing microscope and software for the processing, visualization, and interpretation of geochemical data.

Making judgements
Students will acquire the ability to critically evaluate and synthesize the relevant scientific literature, identify the most appropriate analytical approaches and techniques for investigating specific petrological problems, and assess the reliability of the results obtained.

Communication skills
Students will develop the ability to communicate effectively, using appropriate scientific terminology and demonstrating mastery of petrological concepts, to present and discuss petrological topics and research findings. Ability to produce technical documents (diagrams, reports, presentations) for the communication and discussion of data.

Learning skills

Ability to independently retrieve and use information and data from bibliographic resources and specialized databases. Capacity to integrate and apply new knowledge in a variety of professional or technical contexts.

This course consists of a series of lectures (28 hours), complimented by practical sessions (24 hours), on selected topics and investigation tools from the discipline areas of igneous and metamorphic petrology. The course combines theory with case studies and applications, with a main focus on themes related to the origin and evolution of the continental crust. An optional day trip to the Peloritani Mountains (north-eastern Sicily) or Palmi area (southern Calabria) is also planned.

If the course is taught in mixed or distance mode, the necessary changes may be introduced to comply with the planned program and reported in the syllabus.

Basic knowledge of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry

Introduction to the course. Aims and methods in Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Dating of magmatic and metamorphic processes.

 Igneous Petrology                                                                                                                                                 

Textural igneous petrology. Geochemical modelling of igneous processes. Layered mafic intrusions. Large igneous provinces. Petrogenesis of granites and related rocks. Extraction, ascent and emplacement of granitic magmas. Late Variscan granitic  magmatism in the Calabria-Peloritani Orogen.

Metamorphic Petrology

Metamorphism and geodynamics. . Microstructures and P-T-d-t evolution in metamorphic rocks. High-temperature metamorphism and crustal melting. The geodynamic-geological evolution of the Calabria-Peloritani Orogen from the Late Precambrian to the Late Paleozoic.

11)   Winter J.D. (2013) Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology. - 2nd ed. Pearson.

2)  Dispense e articoli scientifici resi disponibili dalla docente su Studium

Altri testi per consultazione:

1)   Best, M. G. 2003. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology,: 2nd ed. Oxford Blackwell Science.

2)   Vernon R.H. (2004) A practical guide to rock microstructure. Cambridge University Press.

3)   Vernon, R. H., Clarke, G. L. (2008) Principles of metamorphic petrology. Cambridge University Press.

4)   Philpotts, A.R., Ague, J.J. 2009. Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks. Cambridge University Press.

5)  Janousek, V., Moyen, J.F., Martin, H., Erban, V., Farrow, C. 2016. Geochemical Modelling of Igneous Processes – Principles and Recipes in R Language. Bringing the Power of R to a Geochemical Community. Springer-Verlag.

6)   Gill, R. 2010. Igneous Rocks and Processes: A Practical Guide. Wiley-Blackwell.

7)  Wilson M. 1988. Igneous petrogenesis. A global tectonic approach. Unwin Hyman.

Learning assessment will consist in: a) an oral presentation and discussion of a scientific article selected from a compilation made available by the teacher; b) preparation, presentation and discussion of a report illustrating a microstructural-petrographic or geochemical study carried out by the student on the rocks representing the subject of the selected scientific article. The duration of the exam is generally around 45 minutes. The assessment will take into account the quality of the materials produced, the student’s mastery of the subject, the appropriate use of technical language, and overall expressive ability. The relevance of the answers to the questions posed and the student’s ability to connect the topics discussed with other subjects covered in the course will also be considered.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).  The referring teacher for the DBGES is Prof. Gabriele Lanzafame

The questions will be mainly related to the topic selected by the student.