Petrology
Dr David Lambert
8 points * 9 hours per week * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: ESC1011, ESC1022 and ESC2011, or permission of head of department
This subject consists of two units, each six weeks long, both compulsory. (1) Crystallography, optics and mineralogy. External form of crystals; crystal systems; stereographic projection in crystallography; packing of atoms and ions in crystals; structural controls on the chemistry of minerals. Transmission of light by crystals; the polarising microscope; optical properties of common minerals and mineral identification. Structure and chemical compositions of common mineral groups; properties of minerals. (2) Igneous and metamorphic geology. Chemistry of common igneous rock groups and their parental magmas. Behaviour of major and trace elements during crystallisation of natural magmas and simple analogues. Development of characteristic mineral assemblages and textures during igneous crystallisation and metamorphism. Relationships between distinctive mineral assemblages and physical and chemical variables during metamorphism.
Assessment
Examinations (4 hours): 65% * Practical work/Fieldwork: 35%
Prescribed texts
Deer W A and others An introduction to the rock forming minerals Longman, 1991
Gribble C D and Hall A J Optical mineralogy: Principles and practice UCL, 1992