Prerequisite: GY201, GY229
Course status: Core
Credit Rating: 12 credits
Total hours spent: 120 hours [45 hours lectures, 30 hours Practicals, 15 hours Assignments, and 30 hours independent study]
Course Objective(s)
o To give students an understanding of metamorphic rocks’ texture, mineralogical compositions and their applications in metamorphic rocks petrogenesis and classifications.
o To impart knowledge to students on physico-chemical (P-T-X) processes governing the transformation of different rocks types into metamorphic rocks.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
o Identify and classify metamorphic rocks.
o Describe physico-chemical processes, including the ability to infer metamorphic conditions from mineral assemblages, controlling metamorphism and the progressive metamorphic products of common protolith composition.
o Infer different metamorphic regimes from P-T-t paths and mineral assemblages.
Course Structure
Introduction to Metamorphism; Metamorphic reactions and metamorphic facies; Model metamorphic terrain; Metamorphic petrogenesis; Metamorphic textures; Regional metamorphism and tectonic processes; Metamorphism as a cycle in P-T space; Tectonic setting of metamorphism.
Course Content
The concept of metamorphism: Types of metamorphism, controlling factors, classification. Metamorphic reactions and metamorphic facies: the phase rule and variance of metamorphic reactions. Model metamorphic terrain: index minerals, isograds and metamorphic grade. Metamorphism of pelites, calcareous and igneous rocks.Metamorphic petrogenesis: Metamorphism of common rock types: pelites, calcareous rocks and mafic igneous rocks; Metamorphic textures and structures; Relationship between regional metamorphism and tectonic processes. Metamorphic textures. Metamorphism as a way of looking at tectonics. Textures as a record of PT-deformation histories. The underlying principles: diffusion in solids and nucleation and growth of mineral grains. Textures of crystallization and recrystallization. Disequilibrium textures and the relative timing of metamorphism and deformation. The relationships between regional metamorphism and tectonic processes. Metamorphism as a cycle in P-T space. Thermal budget of regional metamorphism. Model PTT paths and their use to inter-tectonic processes. P-T paths and facies series. Tectonic setting of metamorphism.
Assessment
Coursework 40%, Final Examination 60%.
Key Textbooks:
1. Best, M.G. (2013). Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. J. Wiley and Sons.
2. Philpotts, A.R. and Ague, J. (2009). Principles of Igneous and metamorphic Petrology. Cambridge University Press.
3. Frost, R.B. and Frost, C.D. (2014). Essentials of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Cambridge University Press.
4. Philpotts, A.R. (2003). Petrography of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks. Waveland Press.