Terms Taught: Fall
A detailed introduction to rocks and minerals – the essential materials of the solid earth. Classification and systematic study of the chemical and physical properties of the common rock-forming mineral groups; textural and mineral compositional studies of common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock groups.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:
1) Be able to classify minerals into the common system by their anion groups.
2) Know the basic compositions of common rock forming minerals and be able to identify them in hand sample and using a petrographic microscope.
3) Know the fundamental crystal chemistry and form of mineral systems.
4) Be able to identify and classify all common igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand sample and thin section.
5) Be able to interpret binary and ternary phase diagrams for igneous systems and be able to construct ternary diagrams for metamorphic systems.
6) Be able to place igneous and metamorphic rocks into tectonic environments.