EA2005:03
Crustal Materials
| Cairns | HECS Band 2 |
26 hours lectures, 39 hours practicals, 8 hours field excursion. Semester 2.
Staff: Mr P Whitehead.
Principles of handspecimen and optical mineralogy. Systematic study of the more important mineral groups, their chemistry, structure, optical and physical properties and parageneses. Characterisation and description of igneous and metamorphic rocks in the context of major element chemistry, mineralogy, texture, genetic processes and tectonic setting. Metamorphic facies, microstructures, isograds and zones.
Learning Objectives:
- to develop skills and knowledge in identifying rock-forming minerals and igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and thin section;
- acquisition of a preliminary knowledge of the techniques of optical petrography;
- acquisition of the observational skills and knowledge to interpret the genetic meaning of textures in igneous and metamorphic rocks;
- an appreciation of the genetic context and crustal setting of common rock-forming minerals and igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Assessment by a two-hour written examination (50%); a two-hour practical examination (20%); fieldwork, assignments and practical classes (30%).