James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

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EA3200:03

Metamorphism and Structure

Townsville

Prerequisites: EA2200 EA2300 EA3510 EA3511
Inadmissable Subject Combination: EA3002

28 lectures, 9 tutorials, 39 hours practicals. Second semester.

Staff: Dr M Rubenach, Professor T Bell.

Thermodynamic considerations of pelitic and calcsilicate metamorphic rocks; genesis of skarns, migmatites and granulites; P-T-t paths and tectonic consideration of metamorphic belts; dislocation processes, foliation development, fold development interaction between deformation, metamorphism, mineralisation and tectonics; resolution of structural problems involving faulting and folding using maps and drillcore; detailed mapping of a selected area in the Mount Isa Inlier, interpretation of field data and of structural and metamorphic relationships and history.

Learning Objectives:

  1. to equip students with the skills and background knowledge necessary to map and interpret the geological history of deformed and metamorphosed terranes;
  2. to provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to identify, map and determine the origin of metamorphic rocks, inclusive of thermal, regional, dynamic and metasomatic types. A thermodynamic framework will be provided, as this is critical in understanding metamorphic processes and genesis. Other aspects of geology, especially structural geology and igneous petrology will be drawn together with metamorphism in dealing with the thermal evolution of orogenic belts;
  3. structural map and borehole exercises are intended to provide students with geometric skills necessary to determine structural relationship in faulted and folded terrains. Topics such as dislocation processes, foliation development and reactivation provide essential background in understanding deformation processes. The study of inclusion trail geometries in relation to metamorphic development will enable students to view deformation processes from the scale of grains to entire mountain belts and understand the inter-relationship between deformation metamorphism and mineralisation.

Assessment by a three-hour theory examination (50%); a three-hour practical examination in structural geology (25%); practical tests and assignments (25%).

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