Department of Earth Sciences
GEO 416 -- Petrology (the Igneous half)
Spring, 2008  

Click here for the Igneous Petrology (first half semester) GEO 416 syllabus. (40kB pdf file)

Course Materials for Igneous Petrology:

Click here for a blank Q-A-P diagram to plot rock compositions. (74kB pdf)

Click here for the igneous petrology exams from 2007. (91 kB pdf)

In the final lab meeting of the igneous portion of the course (3/11/08) we will discuss the assigned articles (see GEO 416 resources on Angel). These will not be featured on the half-semester Exam. Be prepared to begin Metamorphic Petrology in lab on 3/18/08.

Click here for the article by David London on granitic pegmatites (for discussion in class 3/17/08). (0.8 MB pdf)

The Igneous Exam has been rescheduled for Weds 3/19/08. On the exam you should expect to be asked about: (1) relations in all 2-component systems (solid solution, eutectic, peritectic, solvus); (2) all features related to connections between plate tectonics and igneous activity [what rocks we find where, and why]; (3) the intrusion of magma and meachanisms for pluton construction; (4) bulk chemical compositions of igneous rocks and plotting compositions on ternary diagrams; (5) origin and differentiation of granitic pegmatites.

Click here for an example of a very complete petrographic description of a sample (129 kB pdf). My evaluation of your sample analyses will look to how closely you approach the level of completeness in this example, as well as how accurate your work is.

Click here for a pdf handout on mineral habits (533 kB).

Click here for the most recent version of the Best of Igneous Textures.

Useful web sites for the course:

journal web sites:

other resources:

For a list of Science Today lectures this semester,  click here.  (Wednesdays @ College Hour in Snygg Hall, rm. 102). 

For Earth Sciences News click here. 

updated material: 3/13/08, 11:46 a.m.