IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY

This course is aimed to provide the students with some of the knowledge and skills necessary to investigate in depth the origin and diversification of igneous and metamorphic rocks in different geodynamic and tectonic settings. To this purpose, the course introduces a variety of both modern and traditional petrologic tools and approaches.

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

- understand and describe advanced petrological processes;

- synthesize, interpret and critically evaluate petrological literature;

- analyze and interpret petrological data to obtain constraints on prominent questions in Earth

   Sciences;

- communicate results effectively to a peer audience.

This course consists of a series of lectures (28 hours), complimented by practical sessions (24 hours) and one-day field trip, 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.

The module of Igneous Petrology focuses on investigation of magmatic processes, from magma genesis and diversification to magma emplacement and solidification in various geodynamic and tectonic settings, with a special emphasis on plutonic systems.

The module of Metamorphic Petrology deals with the formation of metamorphic rocks in different crustal environments, with a main focus on estimation of tectono-metamorphic conditions and the use of these constraints in investigating the evolution of the Earth's crust.

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.

Basic knowledge of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry

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

METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY. Metamorphism and the aims of Metamorphic Petrology. Metamorphism and geodynamics. Metamorphic assemblages and metamorphic reactions. 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.

Textbook information

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

Supplementary textbooks::

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other teaching material (lecture notes, scientific articles) will be made available online during the course (Studium).

Learning assessment will consist in: a) an oral presentation and discussion of a scientific article selected by the student among those made available by the teacher; b) a report illustrating a thin-section or geochemical study carried out by the student on the rocks representing the subject of the selected scientific article.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. 

Questions and practical activities will be mainly related to the topic selected by the student.