Exploration Geology

MARIO GAETA

Developing competences and expected learning outcomes

Educational goals: The course aims to provide the basic principles and the HP-HT experimental methods of investigation to be used in studies of igneous rocks and has as main purpose the understanding of the processes that govern the crystallization of magmas and of the relationship between the experimental data and the chemical-physical models, and their relations with the volcanology.

Learning outcomes: modeling of the magmatic crystallization by means of the MELTS software; experiments of the magmatic crystallization in the HP-HT laboratory; geothermobarometric applications to igneous rocks.

Ability to plan and realize high pressure and high temperature experiments on natural rocks and synthetic compositions.

Basic knowledge of chemistry, mineralogy, petrography and geology

Structure of silicate melts. Physico-chemical properties of silicate melts. Magma definition. Crystallization theory. Volatiles in the magmas. Thermodynamics applied to magmas Behavior of magma under closed and open systems. Crystal-melt equilibrium. Chemical and thermal diffusion in magmatic systems . Generation and differentiation of magmas. Role of volatile components on the genesis , differentiation and eruption of magmas. Determination of rheological parameters. Ascent and emplacement of magmas. Surface transport models of magmas. The role of magma proprieties in the eruption styles. Thermo-chemical evolution of magma chambers. Theory and applications of geothermobarometries. Use of the MELTS software. Physical and thermal evolution of magma chambers. The role of laboratory experimentation in magmatology and volcanology. The HP-HT lab equipment. The contribution of experimental magmatology and volcanology in the solution of problems concerning the reconstruction of the P, T, X magma conditions.

BEST M.G., CHRISTIANSEN E.H. (2001) - Igneous Petrology. Ed. Blackwell Science.
BLUNDY J., CASHMAN K. (2008) Petrologic reconstruction of magmatic system variables and processes. Rev Mineral Geochem 69:179-239
HAMMER J.E. (2008) Experimental studies of the kinetics and energetic of magma crystallization. Rev Mineral Geochem 69:9-59
HOLLOWAY J.D. , B.J. WOOD (1992) - Experimental Geochemistry. Ed. Unwin Allen. D.
OTTONELLO G. (1991) – Principi di geochimica. Zanichelli.

Classroom lectures and exercises in the HP-HT laboratory

Optional in the classroom
Mandatory in the laboratory

Oral examination of about 1 h starting from the discussion of a term paper relative to experiments performed by the candidate in the HP-HT laboratory.

Describe the experience carried out in the HP-HT laboratory