Interpretation of the petrogenetic processes in the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic environments. Understanding the petrogenetic and geodynamic significance of the magmatic series. Describing and classifying under the plane polarized light microscope the most common magmatic and sedimentary rocks.

The minerals of the magmatic rocks and the modal mineralogy composition. Modal classification and chemical compositions of the rocks. Chemical classification of the igneous rocks and the fundamental petrochemical concepts (saturation indexes). Normative composition of the igneous rocks.

Magma generation: examples from the mantle and crust systems. Rising and fractional crystallization of the magmas. Magma assimilation. Magma mixing. The structures of the igneous rocks. Examples of magmatic systems with two and three components. Crystallization of magmas in the presence of eutectic and peritectic points. Magmatic series and geodynamic environment.

Sedimentary processes and the sedimentary rocks. Terrigeneous siliciclastic rocks and their classification. Carbonate rocks and their classification.

General framework of the metamorphic processes. The factors of the metamorphism: temperature, pressure, presence of fluid phases, deformation. The metamorphic reactions. The metamorphic transformations: two- and three-phase associations and relative ternary diagrams. Nomenclature of the metamorphic rocks. The metamorphic facies: mineral assemblages and reaction isogrades. Metamorphic facies and thermal gradients: series of metamorphic facies and P-T petrogenetic grids.

Laboratory: Description and classification of rocks under the plane polarized light microscope. Fundamentals of optical mineralogy. Detection of the main rock-forming minerals of the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic environment. Optical properties of feldspars and methods for determining the anorthite contents in the plagioclases. Microstructures and thin section classification of the most common igneous rocks. The QAPF classification diagram, the diagrams for the classification of the ultramafic rocks. The TAS chemical diagram for the classification of volcanic rocks. Microstructures and classification of the most common sedimentary rocks both of terrigeneous and carbonate types.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Course books

PowerPoint slides from the teacher

Morbidelli L. (2003) – Le rocce e i loro costituenti. Bardi editore.

D’Argenio B., Innocenti F., Sassi F.P. (1994) - Introduzione allo studio delle rocce. UTET Ed., Torino.

D’Amico C., Innocenti F., Sassi F.P. (1987) - Magmatismo e metamorfismo. UTET Ed., Torino.

Shelley D. (1992) Igneous and metamorphic rocks under the microscope. Chapman & Hall Ed., Londra.

Philpotts A.R. (1990) - Principles of Igneous and metamorphic petrology. Prentice Hall Ed.

Bosellini A.,  Mutti E., Ricci Lucchi F. (1989) - Rocce e successioni sedimentarie UTET Ed., Torino

Assessment

Practical/written examination based on description and classification of a rock in thin section. Oral examination.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.