ESC3111

Magmatic processes and products

(SCI)

Dr Ian Nicholls and Professor Ray Cas

6 points + Eleven weeks lecture/practical coursework usually first semester + One or two-day field excursion (locality to be arranged) + Prerequisites: ESC2022 + Prohibitions: ESC3011, ESC3022, ESC3051, ESC3062 (refer to department for advice)

Synopsis: Igneous petrology. The origin of magmas; magma transport, emplacement and crystallisation; geochemical mass balance in magmatic systems; magma sources and controls on magma genesis in global tectonic settings. Igneous geochemistry. Principles of the partitioning behaviour of element groups; trace element and isotopic ratio systematics of magmas and their sources; quantitative trace element modelling of magmatic processes. Volcanology. The magmatic processes involved in various styles of volcanic activity and the nature of the products of contrasted eruptive mechanisms.

Assessment: Practical work: 30% + Field excursion: 20% + Final practical & theory examination: 50%