Academic Year 2017/2018
- Docente: Roberto Braga
- Credits: 6
- SSD: GEO/07
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Roberto Braga (Modulo 1) Giuseppe Maria Bargossi (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
-
Corso:
First cycle degree programme (L) in
Natural Sciences (cod. 8016)
Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in Geological Sciences (cod. 8015)
Learning outcomes
Students will learn the basic tools to describe and classify magmatic, metamorphic and siliciclastic rocks, and understand the petrogenetic processes and their geologic significance. Students will acquire the know-how to classify in the field (= outcrop scale) and in the lab (hand sample + thin sections) magmatic, metamorphic and silicoclastic rocks
Course contents
Magmatism - The magma: physical and chemical features. Upwelling and solidification of magmas: intrusive vs. volcanic settings. Origin of mantle magmas. Magmatic differantiation: fractional crystallzation, gravitative setting and cumulus rocks, assimilation. Bowen's reaction series. The role of Pressure and fluids on the origin of magmas. Origin of anatectic magmas. Mixing and mingling of magmas. Mineralogical and chemical of igneous rocks. Classification of magmatic rocks. Trace element and isotopes to fingerprint magmatic sources. Magmatic series and their relation to different geodynamic settings.
Metamorphism - The drivers: Pression, Temperature, Deformation and Fluids. Microstructures and their classification. How to classify a metamorphic rock. ;etamorphic reactions and the record they left into the rocks. Metamorphic grade and facies. Facies series. Geotherm and Pressure-Temperature-time paths. Regional metamorphism (orogenic and sea floor) and contact metamorphism. Analysis and interpretation of mineral assemblages in metabasites and metapelites.
Petrography of Sedimentary rocks - Wheathering, transport and deposition of sediments. Diagenetic processes. Structures, textures, composition and classification of clastic, carbonatic, evaporitic and derived from biological activity.
Lab activities - Classification of hand-sized of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary (silicoclastic) rocks.
Field Trip - A single-day excursion with practical exercises of classification of igneous and metamorphic rocks
Readings/Bibliography
- D'Argenio F., Innocenti F., Sassi P.F. (1994) Introduzione allo studio delle rocce. UTET, Torino.
- Cornelis Klein, Anthony Philpotts (2016) Earth Materials Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology (2nd Edition). Cambridge University Press. (website)
Teaching methods
- Class lectures
- Petrography Lab (in collaboration with Prof. Giuseppe Bargossi, Prof. Paolo Garofalo, Dr. Deborah Lo Pò and Giulia Consuma)
- Field Excursion
Assessment methods
The final examination consists of a practical exam and an oral discussion
The practical exam is a written report that summarizes the observation and classification of two rock types (igneous and/or metamorphic) at the mesoscopic scale.
The candidate has to know how to use the QAPF diagram for plutonic and volcanic rocks and the Total Alkali vs. Silica diagram for volcanic rocks.
The oral discussion focuses on
- Discussion of the written report
- Questions on the main petrogenetic concepts presented during the class lectures
The final grade is the mean of the grades obtained from the practical exam and the oral discussion.
Teaching tools
- Video Projectors supporting Power Point presentations
- Hand-sized samples
- Mineral and rock collections of the Museo di Mineralogia Luigi Bombicci
Office hours
See the website of Roberto Braga
See the website of Giuseppe Maria Bargossi