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Study of magmatic systems including the nature and origin of igneous materials and links with the physical processes of volcanology.
This course is designed to examine the nature, origin, and interpretation of igneous rocks and mineral assemblages as well as the magmatic processes that have produced these materials. Additionally, it aims to develop an understanding of the petrological evolution of the crustal lithosphere within a modern plate dynamic framework. Students taking this course will receive a broad grounding in the experimental, petrographical and geochemical aspects of igneous petrogenesis and magmatic processes. In the second term, emphasis will be given to the petrological aspects of volcanology which will benefit those students wishing to do volcanological research. This course consists of two lectures and one laboratory class per week for the second semester.The topics coved by this course are:• Mineralogical and chemical classification of igneous rocks; igneous associations and relationships with global tectonic settings• Basalt crystallization and the origin of basalt magmas• Classification and nomenclature of granites; origin, emplacement and tectonic significance of granitoids using especially NZ examples• Petrological structure of island arcs and petrogenesis of subduction-related magmas• Mafic-felsic magma interactions in high level magma chambers. • Transition from plutonic to volcanic processes.• Geochemical, volatile, and crystallisation influences on eruption style and experimental volcanology• Hawaii and Banks Penninsula volcanic case study• Taupo Volcanic Zone volcanic history case study • Montserrat volcanic history case study
Students successfully completing this course will:Realize the importance of igneous rocks in geology and to society.Identify and classify igneous rocks and their geological environments.Use geochemistry to explain why magma is generated, diversifies and eruptsUse geochemical data, thin sections, and maps to reconstruct the magmatic and volcanological histories.
GEOL232 or GEOL242 plus one additional course from GEOL233-GEOL238 or GEOL243-GEOL245.
Ben Kennedy
Chris Oze
Winter, John D; An introduction to igneous and metamorphic petrology ; 2nd ed; Prentice Hall, 2010.
Other useful books for the laboratory work are:Shelley, D. Optical mineralogyShelley, D. Igneous and metamorphic rocks under the microscopeDeer, W.A., Howie, R.A. and Zussman, J. An introduction to the rock-forming minerals
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Laboratory ClassesEach student will be allocated a polarising microscope. Lab classes will comprise a mix of microscope work, geochemical data analysis and computer-assisted learning: • Introductory labs on igneous petrographic nomenclature and thin section descriptions• Introduction to the use of geochemical data on igneous rocks to describe and identify magmatic processes• Edible igneous experiments
Domestic fee $747.00
International fee $3,488.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Geological Sciences .