GEO 381C: Structural Petrology
Mesoscopic to microscopic study of the internal fabric (or structure) of
rocks and the relationship of such fabrics to
1) macroscopic external structures and 2) the genesis of these structures.
| Week |
Topic |
Reading** |
| 1/14-1/18 |
Lecture: Introduction - Historical
perspective. Brittle versus plastic deformation: stress & fracturing -
strain & ductile flow. Dislocation glide, movement and origin. |
Ch. 1 & 2
p. 1-23 |
| |
Lab: Lecture continued; Optics & Miller Indices refresher |
|
| 1/23-1/25 |
Lecture: Slip systems, crystallographic preferred
orientations. Recognition of deformation features. |
p. 25-32 |
| |
Lab: Slip systems for
common minerals (quartz, olivine, OPX, CPX) |
|
| 1/28-2/1 |
Lecture:
Recovery. Interactions of dislocations. Dislocation Climb. Examples of
recovery textures. Work hardening versus recovery. |
p. 32-35 |
| |
Lab: Deformation and
recovery textures |
|
| 2/4-2/8 |
Lecture: Dynamic
Recrystallization. Recognition of recrystallization features. Video |
p. 36-40 |
| |
Lab: Dynamic
recrystallization textures. |
|
| 2/11-2/15 |
Lecture: Factors affecting
dynamic recrystallization mechanisms. Differences between
deformation/recrystallization in quartz and feldspar. |
p. 43-53 |
| |
Lab: Conditions of
deformation |
|
| 2/18-2/22 |
Lecture: Deformation
conditions: effects of T, strain rate, fluids, and Pc. Paleopiezometers.
Twinning as a regional stress indicator. Relationship of preferred
orientations to strain and mesoscopic structures. |
p. 88-96,
201-207 |
| |
Lab: Fault-related rocks. |
p. 98-109 |
| 2/25-2/29 |
Lecture: Stress induced
recrystallization; Diffusion Creep. Pressure solution. Microcracking and
vein formation. |
p. 70-74
Ch. 6 p. 131-151 |
| |
Lab: Pressure solution and
vein fabrics |
|
| 3/3-3/7 |
Lecture: High T creep,
superplastic flow. Flow laws. Deformation in the mantle. |
p. 40-42,
53-56 |
| |
Lab: Midterm |
|
| 3/10-3/14 |
SPRING BREAK |
|
| 3/17-3/21 |
Lecture: Nucleation and
growth of metamorphic minerals. Metamorphism and deformation -
porphyroblast/fabric relationships. Static recrystallization. |
Ch. 7, p. 153-196,
45-47 |
| |
Lab: Metamorphic effects |
|
| 3/24-3/28 |
Lecture: Folding,
foliations - Review of structural relations, formation of structures.
Mapping techniques in complex terranes. |
Ch. 1 (p. 1-6),
Ch. 4 (p. 57-88),
Ch. 10 (p. 231-237) |
| |
Lab: Thin section
description (due 4/11) |
|
| 3/31-4/4 |
Lecture: Superimposed
structures, folds, lineations, cleavages. |
Marshak & Mitra,
Ch. 16 |
| |
Lab: Megascopic analysis:
Sequence of deformation and metamorphic mineral growth. Polyphase deformation problem set (Marshak
& Mitra, Ch. 16) (due 4/18) |
|
| 4/7-4/11 |
Lecture: Correlation of
structures in complex terranes . Examples from different deformation environments.
|
|
| |
Lab: Mesoscopic and
microscopic analysis: Sequence of deformation and metamorphic mineral
growth (due 4/28) |
|
| 4/14-4/18 |
Lecture: Ductile shear
zones; progressive noncoaxial deformation; kinematic indicators |
Ch. 5 (p. 97-129) |
| |
Lab: Kinematic Indicators |
|
| 4/21-4/225 |
Lecture: Identification of
deformation environments: ductile & brittle structures associated with
foreland, subduction collision, extensional & transcurrent zones |
|
| |
Lab: Continue Lab on Mesoscopic and
microscopic analysis: Sequence of deformation and metamorphic mineral
growth (due 4/28) |
|
| 4/28-5/2 |
Lecture: Chemical changes
due to deformation; Discuss thin section description; Review |
|
| |
Lab: FINAL EXAM in
lab |
|
**all readings from P&T unless otherwise noted
Grades Based on: Lab* (50%), Midterm (25%), Final (25%)
*Thin section description,
lab 4/17, and the Marchak & Mitra exercise= 25 points each; other lab
exercises 10 points. Labs due at beginning of next lab unless
other date given.
Text: Passchier, C.W., and Trouw, R.A.J., "Microtectonics," Springer, 1996.
This course is offered every other year.
