651-4047-00L Microscopy of Magmatic Rocks
| Semester | Autumn Semester 2022 |
| Lecturers | P. Ulmer |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Abstract | This course provides basic knowledge in microscopy of igneous rocks. Apart from the identification of common igneous minerals in thin sections, mineral assemblages, textures and structures will be investigated and the results of microscopy will be combined with igneous phase equilibria to understand generation, differentiation and emplacement of igneous rocks. |
| Learning objective | The principal goal of this course is to acquire expertise in : (1) optical determination of minerals in igneous rocks using the polarizing microscope (2) Identification of igneous rocks basing on modal mineralogy, structure and texture; (3) Interpretation of textures and structures and associated igneous processes; (4) Application of phase diagrams to natural rocks. |
| Content | This practical course bases on the course 'Microscopy of metamorphic rocks' (A. Galli), that is taught immediately before this course, where basic knowledge in optical mineralogy and the use of the polarizing microscope is acquired. In this course, the most important (common) igneous minerals and rocks are studied in thin sections under the polarizing microscope. Mineral assemblages, structures, textures and crystallization sequences are determined and utilized to understand the generation, differentiation and emplacement of igneous rocks. In addition, we will apply igneous phase equilibria that have been introduced in other lectures (such as magmatism and metamorphism I&II at ETH or an equivalent igneous petrology course) to natural rock samples in order to constrain qualitatively parental magma compositions and crystallization conditions. The range of investigated rocks encompasses mantle rocks, tholeiitic, calc-alkaline and alkaline plutonic and volcanic rocks that contain the most common igneous minerals. |
| Lecture notes | Basis of the optical determinations of (igneous) minerals using the polarizing microscope are the tables of Tröger ('Optische Bestimmung der gesteinsbildenden Minerale', Optical determination of rock-forming minerals, 1982) that are available in sufficient number in the class room. Additional notes will be distributed during the lecture Furthermore, I recommend the lecture notes of H.-G- Stosch (University of Karlsruhe, in German) that can be provided in printed form upon request. |
| Literature | There are several good textbooks on the subject of ´mineralogy in thin sections´ that I can suggest upon request. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course does not include an introduction in optical mineralogy and the use of a polarizing microscope and, therefore, bases on the course ¨Microscopy of metamorphic rocks¨ taught by A. Galli immediately before this course where these basic principles are provided. Alternatively, e.g. for external students, an equivalent course is required to follow this practical course. The delivery of 3 acceptably solved homework assignments is acknowledged with an increase of the final grade by 0.25. Other microscope courses taught at ETH Zurich at the D-ERDW are: Basics of optical mineralogy and petrography (M.W. Schmidt, BSc-course in German) Microscopy of metamophic rocks (A. Galli, prerequisite for this course) Sedimentary petrography and microscopy (V. Picotti & M.G. Fellin) Reflected Light Microscopy and Ore Deposits Practical (T. Driesner) |