Undergraduate Course: Igneous, Metamorphic and Ore Processes (EASC10107)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will provide an outline of modern concepts of the formation and evolution of the solid Earth through the study of igneous and metamorphic petrology and geochemistry, and ore-forming processes.
The course consists of three inter-related strands. (1) The genesis of basic magmas from the mantle and their subsequent evolution from a geochemical perspective. (2) The relationships between mineral assemblages, rock composition and pressure-temperature conditions of metamorphism linked to the facies concept and P¿T paths, and their importance for reconstructing tectonic settings and evaluating orogen evolution. (3) The formation of ore deposits, tied in where appropriate to igneous and metamorphic processes. |
| Course description |
This course will be taught as a mixture of lectures and practicals over ten weeks. Students will gain hands-on experience of petrology and numerical modelling of analytical data to investigate the evolution of the solid Earth and the processes responsible for the formation of economic ore deposits.
Week 1: The Earth's mantle; phase diagrams and fractional crystallisation
Week 2: The use of trace elements in modelling partial melting and fractional crystallisation processes; radiogenic isotopes (1) and mantle-crust evolution
Week 3: Radiogenic isotopes (2); basalt and tectonic fingerprinting; mantle melting and silica saturation
Week 4: Felsic igneous rocks; Introduction to ores
Week 5: Ore formation and Earth history; igneous ore-forming processes
Week 6: Hydrothermal ore-forming processes
Week 7: Surficial ore-forming processes; metamorphic mineral assemblages in pelites, phase-relations and AFM diagrams
Week 8: Metamorphism of pelites; medium-P facies series
Week 9: Metamorphism of pelites: Buchan zones facies series; migmatites and partial melting
Week 10: Granulites and UHT metamorphism
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Earth Dynamics (EASC08001) AND
Geomaterials (EASC08021) AND
Global Tectonics and the Rock Cycle (EASC08020)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Prohibited Combination:
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology EASC09008. Students who take this new course will be able to take revamped Volcanology EASC10091 and Ore Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry EASC10094 as options in the 4th year. Students who have taken Volcanology and Ore Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry prior to this new course commencing cannot take this course as an option in 4th or 5th year.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Course Organiser approval is required and student should have covered the same material as in the UK pre-requisites. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 30,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 30,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
116 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
60 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment Details
40% Exam and 60% classwork assessments (20% for each)
Assessment Deadlines
Assessment 1 (20%) Semester 2, Friday week 4, 12:00 noon
Assessment 2 (20%) Semester 2, Friday week 7, 12:00 noon
Assessment 3 (20%) Semester 2, Friday week 10, 12:00 noon
Written Exam (40%) Semester 2, May Exam Diet
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| Feedback |
Students have the opportunity to submit problem sheet questions and computer-based exercises solutions for feedback. The answers are also discussed in tutorials.
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 1:30 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the petrology and geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic and ore-forming rocks.
- Review metamorphic facies, facies series and their distribution as well as thermal and tectonics controls on metamorphism.
- Use, manipulate and evaluate a range of specialist data using a range of modelling approaches.
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Reading List
Scientific articles will be cited throughout for students to refer to.
Recommended reading (selectively):
- Igneous Rocks and Processes: A practical handbook, Second Edition. By R. Gill & G. Fitton (2022). Wiley-Blackwell.
- Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology by MG Best (2003). Blackwell Science.
- An Introduction to Metamorphic Petrology by BWD Yardley. Longmans.
- Ore Forming Processes by L. Robb 2004. Blackwell Science.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Igneous,metamorphic,petrology,volcanology,geochemistry,ore geology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Godfrey Fitton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8529
Email: Godfrey.Fitton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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