Module GL3322: Crystalline Rocks 1: igneous processes

Contact hours & timing:

Module Learning Aims:

(1) To broaden and deepen the skills for identification and description of igneous rocks in hand specimen and thin section. (2) To provide an understanding of how igneous rocks are classified. (3) To develop an appreciation of how textural relationships amongst minerals can be used to infer the history of igneous rocks. (4) To demonstrate how magma chemistry dictates the mineralogy of igneous rocks.

Module Content:

The module introduces a wide variety of igneous rocks. The rocks are approached on several scales: their tectonic environment, their local occurrence, in the hand specimen as well as under the microscope. The causes of magma diversity are investigated using experiments and phase diagrams.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• correctly identify all major igneous rocks and explain their petrogenetic importance
• provide a robust macroscopic and microscopic rock description and correctly interpret mineral textures
• describe how the chemistry of a rock dictates its mineralogy

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