GEO101 Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology

Course Overview

  • Instructor: Miss N. S. Mpofu
  • Institution: Zimbabwe School of Mines, Department of Mining Geology
  • Course outline: Overview of course topics and objectives related to mineralogy and petrology.

Objectives of the Course

By the end of the course, trainees should be able to:

  • Define the terms mineral and crystallography.
  • Define and describe the physical properties of minerals and utilize these properties for mineral identification through hand specimen techniques.
  • Describe the symmetry of the six major crystal classes.
  • Classify and identify various types of rocks.
  • Discuss the rock cycle and the process of volcanism.
  • Describe the formation of different classes of rocks.
  • Adhere to international standards when naming rocks.

Mineralogy

  • Introduction:
    • Scope of mineralogy includes the study of physical properties and their use in mineral identification.
  • Physical Properties of Minerals:
    • Attributes used for mineral identification include color, luster, hardness, cleavage, and specific gravity.
  • Classification of Minerals:
    • Native elements
    • Oxides and hydroxides
    • Sulphides and sulphosalts
    • Silicates
    • Carbonates, nitrates, and borates
    • Chromates, halides, tungstates
    • Molybdates, phosphates, and arsenates

Crystallography

  • Key Concepts:
    • Explanation of crystallographic terms necessary for understanding the structure of crystals.
    • Describe the formation of crystals from solutions through crystallization processes.
    • Crystal Morphology: The study of the external form of crystals.
    • Measurement of crystal angles using goniometric techniques to ascertain symmetry.
    • Identification and comparison of crystal classes based on their symmetry and other properties.
    • Explanation of twinning and identification of twin crystals.
  • Crystal Chemistry:
    • Overview of chemical composition, bonding forces, and the coordination principles affecting crystal structures.
    • Factors influencing crystal structure, including temperature, pressure, and chemical environment.

Petrology

Igneous Petrology
  • Introduction to Igneous Petrology:
    • Study of volcanic activity and the formation of igneous rocks.
  • Volcanism:
    • Examination of present-day igneous activities related to plate tectonics.
    • Factors influencing eruption types and characteristics of lava flows.
    • Exploration of submarine volcanism and products derived from volcanic activities.
  • Magmatic Intrusions:
    • Description of different modes of intrusion and types of magmas with their associated structures.
  • Melting and Crystallization:
    • Analysis of magma generation processes and fractional crystallization.
    • Evolution of magmas characterized by Bowen’s reaction series.
  • Classification and Identification of Igneous Rocks:
    • Detailed methods for classifying and identifying igneous rocks.
Metamorphic Petrology
  • Scope of Metamorphism: Understanding agents and principles driving metamorphism.
    • Agents of metamorphism include heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.
    • Fundamental principles of metamorphism discussed.
  • Classification of Metamorphic Rocks:
    • Differentiation of foliated and non-foliated rocks, including appropriate nomenclature.
  • Identification of Metamorphic Rocks:
    • Describing mineralogy and textures of common metamorphic rocks.
    • Discussion of the economic significance of metamorphic rocks.
  • Metamorphic Facies and Grade:
    • Zones of progressive regional and contact metamorphism explained.
    • Detailed explanations of metamorphic facies and grades.
  • Textures of Metamorphic Rocks:
    • Differentiation between foliation and lineation, and investigation of metamorphic fabrics.
    • Explanation of the relationship between metamorphism, magmatism, and orogeny.
Sedimentary Petrology
  • Formation of Sedimentary Rocks:
    • Statistical parameters affecting sediment formation discussed.
    • Characteristics of sedimentary rocks explored.
    • Description of depositional environments influencing sediments.
  • Sedimentary Structures:
    • Overview of primary and secondary structures within sedimentary rocks.
    • Classification of primary structures including erosional, deposition, and biogenic sedimentary structures.
    • Discussion of stratigraphy relating to sediments.
  • Classification and Identification of Sedimentary Rocks:
    • Identification of major classes and subdivisions of sedimentary rocks along with typical rock examples.
    • Description of mineralogy and texture of common sedimentary rocks.
    • Economic importance of sedimentary rocks highlighted.

References

  • Martin Okrusch and Hartwig E. Frimmel (2020). Mineralogy: An Introduction to Minerals, Rocks, and Mineral Deposits, Springer Nature.
  • Melinda Darby Dyar and Mickey E. Gunter (2008). Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy, Second Edition, Mineralogical Society of America.
  • B. Ronald Frost and Carol D. Frost (2019). Essentials of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Second Edition, Cambridge University Press.
  • John D. Winter (2013). Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology.
  • Dexter Perkins (2022). Petrology: An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, University of North Dakota.

Regulations

  • All practical assignments are compulsory for course completion.
  • A minimum of 40% in coursework (including practical assignments, tests, etc.) is required to sit for the final examination.
  • Coursework constitutes 60% of the total grade and includes:
    • 3 practical assignments
    • 1 assignment
    • Test
  • Office Hours: Available at any time, subject to availability.