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Course Sheet Academic Year of enrolment:
Disciplinary Sector:
Petrology and Petrography
Professor and Collaborators:
Hours of classroom activity:
Prerequisites:
Knowledge of chemistry, mineralogy and geochemistry is required.
Objectives
Contents 1. Introduction to mineralogy and petrography.
2. Solid Earth materials.
3. Identification of minerals.
4. The minerals of igneous rocks.
5. Direction and speed of natural processes, introduction to kinetics and thermodynamics.
6. Formation of igneous rocks.
7. Igneous rocks: emplacement, classification and tectonic significance.
8. Classification of igneous rocks.
9. Magmatogenesis.
10. Petrogenesis.
11. Petrotectonic associations, tectopetrogenesis, magmatogenetic processes and geodynamics.
12. Notions of depositology.
13. The minerals of metamorphic rocks.
14. Metamorphic transformations.
15. Minerals of economic interest.
Extended Syllabus 1. Introduction to mineralogy and petrography: formation of chemical elements in supernovae; birth of the solar system and the Earth; Earth's accretion; Earth's internal structure; planetary cooling and plate tectonics; plate tectonics and rock formation.
2. Solid Earth materials: definition of mineral; how minerals are classified; the name of minerals; what is a crystal; the crystalline state; what is a rock; how rocks are formed.
3. How minerals are identified: habit; state of aggregation; colour and lustre; flaking; hardness; specific gravity; magnetism, acid solubility, radioactivity; instrumental methods for mineral characterisation.
4. The minerals of igneous rocks: the chemical elements of the Earth's crust, minerals and rocks; calculation of mineral formulae: ternary diagrams; systematic description of the most abundant minerals of igneous rocks; felsic and mafic minerals.
5. Direction and speed of natural processes, introduction to kinetics and thermodynamics: basic thermodynamic terms; heat, work and first law of thermodynamics; entropy and second and third laws of thermodynamics; Gibbs free energy; variation of Gibbs free energy as a function of T and P; variation of Gibbs free energy as a function of composition; thermodynamic equilibrium; thermodynamic phase diagram, multi-component phase diagrams; speed of geological processes; radioactive decay;
6. Formation of igneous rocks: how and why a rock melts; the three main causes of mantle melting and their tectonic context; effect of pressure on melting; physical properties of magma; magma ascent; solidification of magma in the crust; evolution of Earth's isotopic reservoirs and origin of magmas.
7. Igneous rocks: emplacement, classification and tectonic significance: why a classification of igneous rocks is necessary; emplacement of igneous rocks; IUGS classification of igneous rocks; igneous rocks and their tectonic context; special association of Precambrian rocks.
8. Classification of igneous rocks: fashioning and norm; CIPW calculation; IUGS classification criteria and terminology (Textures, fashioning and chemism); R1-R2 diagram.
9. Magmatogenesis: core and mantle process, partial melting, ascent and differentiation of magmatic liquids and fluids.
10. Petrogenesis: compositional variation of comagmatic associations; phase equilibria in igneous granitic and basaltic systems; fractional crystallisation; convection, accumulation, immiscibility, mixing and commingling.
11. Petrotectonic associations, techtopetrogenesis, magmatogenetic processes and geodynamics: convergent plates, MORB, intraplate, continental rifts, LIPSs, cratonic, etc.
12. Notions of depositology: minerogenesis, deposit types, critical metals, uses
13. Minerals of metamorphic rocks: systematic description of minerals common in metamorphic rocks
14. Metamorphic transformations: metamorphic grade and facies; texture of metamorphic rocks; classification of metamorphic rocks; metamorphism of pelites; metamorphism of carbonate rocks; migmatisation; geothermometers and geobarometers; tectonic significance of metamorphism
15. Minerals of economic interest: critical metals; precious metals; construction materials; energy resources.
Recommended Bibliography 1. Mineralogia e petrografia
Klein e Philpotts
Zanichelli Editore
2. Igneous Rocks: A Classification and Glossary of Terms
Le Maitre R.W., Streckeisen A., Zanettin B., Le Bas M.J., Bonin B., Bateman P.
Teaching Methods 1. Lectures.
2. Laboratory exercises.
3. Practical exercises: SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF.
Evaluation methods Verification of learning:
Final examination: oral.
Three partials are scheduled during the course.