This course is a basic to advance introduction
for the post graduate students in petrology. Geology is plagued by the problem
of in accessibility; they see only the tiny fraction of the rocks that composes
the Earth. During the processes of uplift and the erosion on the surface, but
their exact place of origin is vague. As a result, a large proportion of our
information about earth is indirectly coming from analysis of subsurface
materials, geophysical studies, or experiments conducted at variable temperature
and pressure. Metamorphic rocks are the most common rock type on Earth, and
their study allows us to put constraints on the pressure, stress and
temperature conditions in the crust and mantle, and on the bulk composition in
these environments. Metamorphism affects rocks in three ways; it changes their
mineralogy, it changes their shape, and it can change their composition.
In this course we will look at the processes behind
metamorphism, the description, and classification of metamorphic rocks, and how
to extract information from metamorphic rocks and minerals to determine the
conditions under which they formed. Metamorphism means change in form. In
geology the term is used to refer to a solid-state recrystallization of earlier
igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks. Such study includes description and
classification of rocks as well as interpretation of their origin. Petrology is
subdivided into three major rock types: Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Igneous and metamorphic petrology are combined, due to the similarity of
approach and principle involved during their formation. As per the syllabus of
UGC based on CBCS, I henceforth use the term metamorphic petrology and
thermodynamics is to study metamorphic rocks and their processes of formation
within one single paper as basic to advance for the post graduate students.
This course deals with the naturally occurring rocks in field
as well as laboratory analysis data that provide sufficient information how
they occur in the nature. It gives idea of modern petrological theories which
are widely accepted for their origin. The course emphasis the petrology which
cover the Geology & its Perspective, Career in geology, Structure and
classification of the silicate minerals along with Definition of metamorphism,
Factors controlling metamorphism, variables / agents and types / kinds of
metamorphism – contact, regional, fault zone metamorphism, impact metamorphism.
Types and classification based on metamorphic agent. Regional metamorphism and
paired metamorphic belts with reference to the theory of plate tectonics.
Mineralogical phase rule for closed and open systems, nature of metamorphic
reactions, concept and classification of metamorphic facies and facies series,
Introduction to ultrahigh temperature and ultrahigh pressure metamorphism.
Metamorphic zones, isograde and reaction isograde, Concept of classification of
metamorphic facies, facies-series and grade, structure and textures of
metamorphic rocks; chemographic projection, graphical representation of
metamorphic minerals assemblages; ACF, AKF, AFM and others diagram.
Description of each facies of low, medium to high pressure
and very high pressure with special reference to characteristic minerals,
subdivision into zones / subfacies, mineral assemblages; Metamorphic reactions
and pressure – temperature conditions of metamorphism. Regional metamorphism of
pelitic, calcareous, basic, and ultra basic rocks and thermal metamorphism of
calcareous and pelitic rocks. Schreinemakers rule and construction of petrogenetic
grids, metamorphic differentiation, anatexis and origin of migmatites in the
light of experimental studies. Laws of thermodynamics; Gibb’s free energy,
entropy, ∆G of metamorphic reactions (solid-solid and dehydration
reactions); Geothermobarometry and PT paths. Petrographic details of some
important metamorphic rocks such as - slate, phyllite, schists, gneiss,
quartzite, marble, charnockite, leptynite, khnodalite etc.
The course definitely provides better understanding to
students for the processes and principles involved during the origin and
evolution of the metamorphic rocks. The course contains video, text,
assignment; quiz, case studies, references etc and I hope it will be useful for
the geology students within and outside India. Last but not least, I highly
accept any comments, questions, or suggestion for the improvement of this
course.
Essential Reading:
1.Best, M. G. (2002): Igneous and Metamorphic
Petrology, Wiley-Blackwell Science.
2.Blatt, H. and Tracy, R. J. (1996): Petrology
(Igneous, Sedimentary &, Metamorphic), W.H. Freeman and Co., New York.
3.Winter, J. D. (2012): Principles of Igneous &
Metamorphic Petrology (2nd Ed.)’ PHI Learn.
4.Winkler, H. G. F. (1967): Petrogenesis of
Metamorphic Rocks, Springer–Verlag./Narosa.
5.Thomas, H. (2005): Metamorphism and Crustal
Evolution (Edited)
6.Thomas, H. (2019): MOOC on Metamorphic Petrology
& Thermodynamics, SWAYAM.GOV.IN
7. Thomas, H. (2020): MOOC on Metamorphic Petrology
& Thermodynamics, SWAYAM.GOV.IN
Suggested Reading:
8.Kretz, R. (1994): Metamorphic Petrology
9.E-content available at CEC-UGC-MHRD New Delhi
website
10.Mason, R. (1978): Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks,
CBS Pub. & Dist., New Delh
Dr. Harel Thomas is Professor in the Department of Applied
Geology, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar Madhya Pradesh. He
obtained his B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. in Geology and Ph.D. from Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi, U. P. India. He had to his credit the Research
Associateship and the Young Scientist Project Awards of the Council
of Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR] and Department of Science and
Technology [DST] New Delhi. He has developed several softwares in
diverse field of Earth Science including calculation of Pressure -
Temperature and activity of metamorphic minerals. The software’s are using
in different universities and research labs. He has published more than fifty
research papers in National and International journals. He joined the
Department of Applied Geology, Sagar Vishwavidyalaya in year 1998 as an
Assistant Professor and he also served as a Reader in the Department of
Geology, Mizoram Central University, Aizawl in year 2004. He has been
instrumental in the publication of one volume on Metamorphism and
Crustal Evolution in year 2005, which contain a wealth of scientific data.
He has developed nearly 30 E-content on Petrology (Metamorphic &
Igneous) and Mineralogy through EMMRC, Sagar which are already available
on CEC-UGC-MHRD, New Delhi web site. He also recorded more than 40
footages on metamorphic and igneous petrology which are continuously
telecast on SWAYAMPRABHA National Channels. He has supervised
many students for Doctorate Degrees. All are well established in different
organization such as NIT, Central University, and Officers in GSI. He is a
regular visiting Professor in the Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan
University; Kathmandu Nepal Since 2012 to till date. He is also engaged in
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on petrology. The course
had successfully completed 4th cycles (Nov.
2016, July, 2017, July, 2018 and Nov. 10th, 2019) with
rating of 4.9 out of 5. He had also successfully completed first cycle
(July, 2018) MOOC on Metamorphic Petrology for undergraduate
students. He is also engaged in Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on
Metamorphic Petrology & Thermodynamics. The course had successfully
completed second cycle in month of Nov.10, 2019.
He had also successfully completed second cycle of MOOC on Crystallography
& Mineralogy during month of May 2020 and Geochemistry duing the month
of Nov. 2019. He will be engage in running the one massive open
online course during month of July, 2020 on metamorphic
petrology & thermodynamics for post graduate students.
He has received Life Time Achievement Award-2018 for Outstanding
Contribution in the Field of Applied Geology on the Occasion of
International Conference on Emerging Issue in Agriculture, Environmental
& Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development at SHUATS,
Allahabad. Received Honour from the Education, Science
& Technology Minister, Government of Nepal at Central Department of
Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal on 11th,
Feb.2019 in recognition to his distinct
contribution to Scholarship as a Visiting Professor in the Department. He is currently teaching metamorphic petrology, igneous
petrology and mineralogy in the postgraduate and undergraduate students of
the Department of Applied Geology Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya,
Sagar. The thrust area of his research interest is the metamorphic and
tectonic evolution of the high-grade gneisses and granulite.
Yes
40 Marks will be allocated for Internal Assessment (2
Mid term of 20 marks each) and 60 Marks will be allocated for external
proctored examination.
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