B012787 - PETROLOGY

Italian

Processes of magma differentiation. Application of trace element geochemistry and isotope geochemistry to the petrogenesis of igneous rocks. Experimental petrology. Composition of the upper mantle in relationship with the magma genesis. Relationships between igneous petrology and geodynamics.

- Le MAITRE (1989) A classification of Igneous rocks and Glossary Terms - Blackwell Scientific Publications.(pag. 1-40)
- COX K.G., BELL J.D., PANKHURST R.J. (1979) The interpretation of Igneous Rocks - George Allen & Unwin Eds, London, 450 pp., (Sections: 1, 2, 11, 14, 15.)
- DE PAOLO D.J. (1988) Neodymium Isotope Geochemistry - Springer-Verlag, Berlin.(Sections 3 and 4)
- IRVING A.J (1978) A review of experimental studies of crystal/liquid trace element partitioning - Geoch. Cosmoch. Acta, 42, 743-770.
- WILSON M. (1989) Igneous Petrogenesis, a global tectonic approach - Unwin Hyman, London, pp.

Knowledge acquired:
Chemical and mineralogical composition of the igneous rocks and magmas on the Earth. How the magmas are generated in the different geodynamic settings. How the magma differentiation processes are quantified with the aim of understanding the Upper Mantle composition and the volcano behaviour. How the high pressure and temperature conditions of the magmatic process are obtained in laboratory.
Competence acquired:
Reconnaissance (geochemistry and mineralogy) of the different types of igneous rocks on the Earth. Methods of calculation for quantifying the natural magmatic processes. Methods of experimental petrology.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Qualitative and quantitative methods of petrologic study of the magmatic process, from Crust-Mantle differentiation mechanisms to the pre-eruptive behaviour of the active volcanoes.

Courses required: none
Courses recommended: Petrography, Laboratory of Petrography, Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Geology I and II.

Teaching tools
Blackboard, video-projector for computer
Some practice tests

Office hours:
By appointment

Oral test and discussion on some exercises to be prepared for the examination.
In the oral examination the student will have to answer to some questions on the main arguments of the course, from the rock classification, to the magmatic series, trace element and isotope systematics, mantle composition and the magma genesis in at least one geodynamic setting. The arguments are part of one/two discussions derived from the initial correction of the prepared exercises. The critical skills of the student will be evaluated.

Introduction to Petrology. Processes of magmas differentiation. Classification of igneous rocks and description of magmatic series. The geochemistry of trace elements in igneous petrology: a quantitative treatment of the processes of magma differentiation (mechanisms of partial melting, crystallization, mixing, contamination, etc. ....). Isotope geochemistry in igneous petrology: isotopes of Strontium and Neodymium in the definition of mantle and crustal components. Methodologies of experimental petrology and state diagrams.
Composition of the upper mantle and their methods of investigation. The Earth's mantle as the source of basaltic magmas and picrites: experimental results. The role of fluids in the genesis and differentiation of magmas. Relations between igneous petrology and geodynamics: genesis of basalts in the different tectonic settings (mid-ocean ridges, volcanic arc, back-arc, active continental margin, oceanic intraplate, plateau and continental rift). Characteristics, genesis and geodynamics of kimberlite and carbonatite (complex annular).