Dear Students, welcome to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology module. It is only designed for students enrolled in Geology year 3.
Brief description of aims and content
The module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of igneous and metamorphic petrology. It provides understanding on the importance of mineralogy and rock texture to the interpretation of igneous and metamorphic rocks and an appreciation of the links between petrology, geochemistry, time scale and geodynamics (plate tectonics).
Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
A.1. Understand the role of magmatism in global evolution throughout earth history.
A.2. Characterize the variety of igneous rocks exposed at the earth’s surface and establish relationships among them.
A.3. Interpret and analyze phase diagrams to understand igneous and metamorphic processes
A.4. Summarize magma formation in a global geodynamic context
A.5. Interpret how mineral assemblages relate to chemical composition and pressure-temperature conditions of formation.
A.6. Explain the links between metamorphic processes, plate tectonics and geological time
B. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of Knowledge
On successful completion of the Module students should be able to:
B.1. Identify the common rock forming minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks in both hand specimen and thin-section.
B.2. Identify key textural/micro structural features of igneous and metamorphic rocks and appreciate the significance of such features with regard to geological processes that have taken place.
B.3. Assign a name to an igneous or metamorphic rock on the basis of its mineralogical and textural characteristics, and appreciate the environment(s) of formation.
B.4. Explain the petrogenesis and evolution of igneous rocks using geochemical data
C. Practical Knowledge/ Professional Skills
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
C.1. Rock/mineral identification in hand specimen and in thin-section using a transmitted light microscope.
C.2. Ability to interpret phase diagrams relevant to igneous systems and petrogenic grids relevant to metamorphic systems on the basis of mineral assemblages recorded in the rock.
C.3. Ability to make detailed and annotated petrographic sketches from thin-section observation and to summarize the salient features and relate the chemistry of the system to the environment of formation.
C.4. Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages
Indicative Content
Igneous petrology: Current igneous activity, melting and crystallization processes, magmatic differentiation, binary and ternary phase diagrams in igneous petrology, major and trace elements in igneous processes, isotopic variations in igneous rocks, magma source regions, suites of magmatic rocks (alkaline, calc-alkaline and tholeiitic), styles of volcanism, classification of igneous rocks, origin of basalts, andesites, granites, alkaline rocks, and carbonatites, cumulate rocks, igneous rocks of the Archean. Geochemistry of igneous rocks, magmatism at different tectonic environments, laboratory work to identify minerals of igneous rocks using transmitted light microscope.
Metamorphic Petrology: Classification of metamorphic rocks, characteristic mineral assemblages of meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous rocks, metamorphic textures, controls on metamorphism and metamorphic processes, metamorphic facies, metasomatic rocks, metamorphic equilibrium and phase diagrams, interrelations between metamorphism and deformation. Laboratory work to identify minerals of metamorphic rocks using transmitted light microscope.
in the process of managing the Geological Mapping and interpretation course. The Guidance Process is also comprehensively displayed which, although the steps are incomplete, are expected to provide inspiration for the Supervising Lecturer, so that they are able to further develop the stages of the Geological Mapping process. On the other hand, the guidance process is also followed by the weight of the assessment based on the burden that must be done by the student participants of this course (Geological Mapping and interpretation). Thus, in order to achieve the expected level of accuracy closer to the actual state of the mapped geological conditions, the guidance and assessment process is not at the end in the form of a Geological Map product but more emphasized on the guidance process. This document will be updated periodically based on the results of evaluating its strengths and weaknesses
The topics covered include basic Geological Mapping techniques and field mapping, map types and contouring techniques, Nature and identification of rock boundaries and contacts, Geological maps for horizontal and dipping beds, Construction of subsurface Geological cross-sections and petroleum related interpretation, Construction of subsurface Geological cross-sections and petroleum related interpretation, Thickness maps, structural contour maps and petroleum related structures and interpretation, Facies maps as a tool to describe the changes of subsurface facies
Learning Outcomes
ü Separate landscape groups from topographic maps / aerial photographs / satellite imagery / DEM
ü Make River Flow patterns from topographic maps / satellite images / aerial photographs / DEM
ü Recognize the shape of the valley / ridge / contour density from topographic maps / aerial photographs / satellite imagery / DEM
ü Describe and analyze river flow patterns and landscape groups for the Interpretation of Geological Conditions in order to support the process of Geological Mapping (alleged lithology, structure, direction of the track etc.)
ü Identify the elements of geological structure in the field (burly, rock layers, faults etc.)
ü Display structural elements data into a skeleton map (stereo nets, rosette diagrams etc.)
ü Identify the type and direction of burly in the mapping area in each unit of rock
ü Make a map of rock layering patterns
ü Identify and classify the types of folds that exist in the mapping area
ü Identify faults in the mapping area
The module aims to introduce the geology of Rwanda, with particular emphasis on field camp location and an introduction to both digital and traditional techniques of geological field study. This module is conducted as a series of weekly lectures and a series of field projects. The field projects have been designed to apply the knowledge gained in lectures and provide practical experience in field geology. Students will also complete assignments which apply the principles of the main topics covered in the lectures.