651-3402-00L  Magmatism and Volcanism

SemesterSpring Semester 2016
LecturersP. Ulmer
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionGerman


AbstractThh lectures concerns with generation and evolution of igneous rocks as products of geodynamic processes operating within the Earth's interior.
ObjectiveThis lecture combines petrography, geochemistry, experimental and theoretical petrology to assess fundamental processes controlling the generation and differentiation of igneous rocks in time and space. Principle targets are the generation of magmas in the Earth upper mantle and crust, differentiation and emplacement of magmas at depth and on the surface. The most prominent volcanic and plutonic rock series are presented and their relationships in the framework of global tectonics are discussed. The material is mostly presented in qualitative way. However, a quantification of igneous processes basing on modal mineralogy, geochemistry, phase petrology and thermodynamic principles is assessed on simple examples in the lectures and in part of the accompanying practicals.
Basic knowledge of rock-forming minerals and the classification of igneous rocks are required and will be further trained during the praticals.
ContentIntroduction – Historic evolution – Magmatism-Tectonics
Igneous Petrology and thermodynamics – Some basic principles
Representation and normalization of igneous minerals and rocks
Physical properties of magmas and emplacement mechanisms
Binary and ternary liquidus phase diagrams (principles and basaltic systems)
Physical volcanology - Tephra vs. lava
Tholeiitic magmatism 1 – MORB and flood basalts
Tholeiitic magmatism 2 – Layered Intrusions
Partial melting in the Earth upper mantle
Geochemistry in igneous petrology
Subduction magmatism (magmatism at convergent plate margins)
Calc-alkaline volcanism (Cascadian volcanoes)
Calc-alkaline plutonic rocks (Adamello batholith)
Alkaline intraplate magmatism
Liquidus phase diagrams for felsic systems: Feldspars – SiO2 – feldspatoids
CO2-rich magmas: Kimberlites, organeites and carbonatites
Volcanism versus plutonism: The role of H2O during melting and crystallization
of basalt and granite under elevated pressures
Lecture notesExtensive lecture notes are provided for CHF 15.- (sold in the first lecture)