Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks

Subject: Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks.
Coeff : 3 Credit : 5
Cours: 1.5 hours.
Practical work: 3 hours
Course objectives
The objectives of a metamorphic petrology course are to teach students to identify metamorphic rocks, interpret their pressure-temperature (P−Tcap P minus cap T
𝑃−𝑇) conditions, and understand the processes that create them. Key goals include applying fundamental principles to describe a rock's mineralogy and texture, using analytical data and phase equilibria to determine metamorphic history, and relating rock types and processes to plate tectonics.
Core objectives
 Rock and mineral identification: Identify metamorphic rocks in hand samples and under a microscope, including key minerals and textures.
 Interpretation of metamorphic conditions: Use mineral assemblages, microstructures, and chemical data to interpret the pressure, temperature, and deformation conditions under which a rock formed.
 Understanding metamorphic processes: Explain the driving forces of metamorphism and how changes in pressure, temperature, and fluid composition affect rock formation.
 Protolith identification: Determine the original rock type (protolith) from which the metamorphic rock formed.
 Classification: Classify metamorphic rocks based on their mineralogy, texture, and the metamorphic facies they belong to.
Skills and knowledge objectives
 Geological interpretation: Use evidence from hand samples, thin sections, and analytical data to reconstruct a rock's metamorphic history.
 Thermodynamic principles: Apply thermodynamic principles and phase equilibria to understand the stability of minerals under different conditions.
 Data analysis: Use mineral chemistry data for thermobarometry and utilize software for constructing and interpreting equilibrium phase diagrams.
 Plate tectonic context: Associate different metamorphic rock types and processes with specific plate tectonic environments.
 Information literacy: Use geological literature to access and interpret relevant information.
Recommended prior knowledge
Master the petrography section of the L1 geology module as well as the crystallography and mineralogy courses.
Bibliographic References:
J. Aubouin, R. Brousse, J.P. Lehman, Précis de géologie. Tome 1 : pétrologie. Dunod, 1968. 712 pages.
Jean-Claude Pons. La pétro sans peine 2 : minéraux et roches métamorphiques. CRDP de l’académie de Grenoble, 2002, 240 pages.
William S. MacKenzie, Anthony E. Adams. Initiation à la Pétrographie. Dunod, 2005, 192
pages.
Jean-François Beaux, Bernard Platevoet, Jean-François Fogelgesang. Atlas de Pétrologie.
Dunod, 2012, 144 pages.