Advanced petrology

The aim is to learn how to decipher the dynamics of the Earth by studying rocks. 

A quantitative approach to rocks and minerals (15 hours of lectures and tutorials) 
• Observation and analysis techniques: Instruments (Microprobe, SEM, Raman) 
• Stoichiometry, chemography: application of linear algebra 
• P-T evolution of rocks, role of fluids: application of thermodynamics 

Reconstruction of pressure-temperature paths of rocks (15 hours of lab practical) 
• Individual research mini-projects on natural samples (thin sections) 
• Characterization of mineralogy and mineral chemistry (Probe, SEM) 
• Calculation of structural formulas 
• Introduction to pseudosection modeling and construction of a P-T path

This formation aims at training future PhD students in hard-rock geology and petrology: it provides all the tools and the analytical procedure to reconstruct the history of a rock sample. It also provides the opportunity to all the participants to become familiar with standard analytical techniques such as electron probe and scanning electron microscopy.

Knowledge in optical microscopy (mandatory), mineral chemistry, metamorphic petrology