B006275 - PETROGRAPHY

Italian

This is an introductory course to the scientific study of rocks and rocks-forming minerals. Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock classifications will be exploited in detail. The course outline the different methods of study, from field survey through classical optically microscopy to geochemistry and isotope geochemistry. The petrogenetic processes will be outlined as will in the frame of the general Earth dynamics.

B. D’Argenio, F. Innocenti, F.P. Sassi (1994) Introduzione allo srtudio delle rocce, UTET, 162 pp. [ISBN 88-02-04870-3]. [Solo rocce sedimentarie]

John D. Winter (2010) Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (2nd Edition), Prentice Hall, 720 pp. [ISBN-10: 0321592573/ISBN-13: 9780321592576]

R. W. Le Maitre, A. Streckeisen, B. Zanettin, M. J. Le Bas, B. Bonin, P. Bateman (2002) Igneous Rocks: A Classification and Glossary of Terms
Recommendations of the International Union of Geological Sciences Subcommission on the Systematics of Igneous Rocks. Cambridge University Press
2nd Edition Paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521619486)

Douglas Fettes, Jacqueline Desmons (2011) Metamorphic Rocks: A Classification and Glossary of Terms
Recommendations of the International Union of Geological Sciences Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks. Cambridge University Press. Paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521336185)

Knowledge of the classification of rocks forming our dynamic planet; Chemical-physical parameters of mineral equilibration in rocks; Genesis and differentiation of rocks in response to the dynamic processes active in the Earth interiors

Principle of Chemistry, and inorganic chemistry; Principle of physics; Mineralogy

Theory will be furnished in classes that are supplemented by optical microscope training, laboratories, and field excursions.

Oral examination

Introduction to petrography and petrology; Earth Interiors, Clarke chemical distribution; geothermobaric gradient of Earth; the rock cycle.
Igneous rocks: distribution on Earth; physical chemical parameter of magma and its rheology. Emplacement mechanisms of igneous rocks.
Textures of igneous rocks: quenching, nucleation and growing rates. Principles of optical mineralogy; rock-forming minerals and their optical characteristics; the use of the optical microscope and the thin sections;
Classification of igneous rocks: Streckeisen’s classification of igneous rocks; classification of gabbroid rocks; classification of ultramafic rocks; Total Alkali Silica diagram; C.I.P.W. norm; saturation in silica.
Principles of thermodynamics: enthropy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy. Phase equilibria in igneous and metamorphic systems: Clapeyron law; Le Chateleier rule; Phase rule; unary, binary and ternary systems; partial melting and equilibrium crystallisation; congruent and incongruent melting; reaction points and eutectics. Phase diagrams: unary (H2O, SiO2); binary (CaMgSi2O6-CaAl2Si2O8; NaAlSiO4-SiO2; Mg2SiO4-SiO2; CaAl2Si2O8-NaAlSi3O8; KAlSi3O8- NaAlSi3O8); ternary (CaAl2Si2O8-CaMgSi2O6–Mg2SiO4; NaAlSiO4-CaMgSi2O6–SiO2; CaAl2Si2O8-Mg2SiO4-SiO2; NaAlSiO4-KAlSiO4-SiO2). Phase diagrams for basalts after Yoder & Tilley (1962, Journal of Petrology). Melting experiments on basalts and mantle compositions. The effect of P and PH2O on phase relationships in igneous and metamorphic systems. Genesis of magmas: partial melting due to decompression, slab dehydratation, plume upraise, continental collision.
Differentiation processes in igneous systems. The magmatic series.
Trace elements as tracers of petrogenetic processes in igneous systems; HFSE and LILE; batch and raleight melting, fractional crystallisation; REE and spiderdiagrams.
The oceanic magmatism (MORB & OIB), the orogenic igneous associations (CA); the alkaline and ultra-alkaline igneous associations; granites and their genesis.
The metamorphism: factors controlling metamorphic transformation (P-T-Fluid); metamorphic reactions and fluids (CaCO3 + SiO2 = CaSiO3 + CO2; KAl2Si3AlO10(OH)2 + SiO2 = KAlSi3O8 + Al2SiO5 + H2O); Pressure of H2O and lithostatic.
The metamorphic grade and isograde; metamorphic facies. Isochemical metamorphic groups, metamorphic type and processes; classification of metamorphic rocks. Textural transformations.
Contact metamorphism; Hydrothermal metamorphism Cataclastic metamorphism; Regional metamorphism: orogenic belts; accretionary prisms; subduction metamorphism. Partial melting and metamorphism: granulite, kinzigite, migmatite.
Metasomatism and the skarn.
Principles of sedimentary petrology. Folk’s classification of sedimentary rocks.