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GEOLOGY: Metamorphic Petrology & Thermodynamics

By Professor (Dr.) Harel Thomas   |   Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar
Learners enrolled: 784
This course is a basic to advance introduction for the post graduate students in petrology. Geology is plagued by the problem of in accessibility; they see only the tiny fraction of the rocks that composes the Earth. During the processes of uplift and the erosion on the surface, but their exact place of origin is vague. As a result, a large proportion of our information about earth is indirectly coming from analysis of subsurface materials, geophysical studies, or experiments conducted at variable temperature and pressure. Metamorphic rocks are the most common rock type on Earth, and their study allows us to put constraints on the pressure, stress and temperature conditions in the crust and mantle, and on the bulk composition in these environments. Metamorphism affects rocks in three ways; it changes their mineralogy, it changes their shape, and it can change their composition.

 In this course we will look at the processes behind metamorphism, the description and classification of metamorphic rocks, and how to extract information from metamorphic rocks and minerals to determine the conditions under which they formed. Metamorphism means change in form. In geology the term is used to refer to a solid-state recrystallization of earlier igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks. Such study includes description and classification of rocks as well as interpretation of their origin. Petrology is subdivided into three major rock types: Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous and metamorphic petrology are combined, due to the similarity of approach and principle involved during their formation. As per the syllabus of UGC based on CBCS, I henceforth use the term Metamorphic petrology and thermodynamics  is to study  metamorphic rocks and their processes of formation within one single paper as basic to advance for the post graduate students.

This course deals with the naturally occurring rocks in field as well as laboratory analysis data that provide sufficient information how they occur in the nature. It gives idea of modern petrological theories which are widely accepted for their origin. The course emphasis the petrology which cover the Geology & its Perspective, Carrier in geology,  Structure and classification of the silicate minerals along with Definition of metamorphism, Factors controlling metamorphism, variables / agents and types / kinds of metamorphism – contact, regional, fault zone metamorphism, impact metamorphism. Types and classification based on metamorphic agent. Regional metamorphism and paired metamorphic belts with reference to the theory of plate tectonics. Mineralogical phase rule for closed and open systems; Nature of metamorphic reactions; Concept and classification of metamorphic facies and facies series; Introduction to ultrahigh temperature and ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. Metamorphic zones, isograde and reaction isograde, Concept of classification of metamorphic facies, facies-series and grade, Structure and textures of metamorphic rocks; chemographic projection, graphical representation of metamorphic minerals assemblages; ACF, AKF, AFM and others diagram.

Description of each facies of low, medium to high pressure and very high pressure with special reference to characteristic minerals, subdivision into zones / subfacies, mineral assemblages; Metamorphic reactions and pressure – temperature conditions of metamorphism. Regional metamorphism of pelitic; calcareous, basic and ultra basic rocks and Thermal metamorphism of calcareous and pelitic rocks. Schrienemakers rule and construction of petrogenetic grids; Metamorphic differentiation, anatexis and origin of migmatites in the light of experimental studies. Laws of thermodynamics; Gibb’s free energy, entropy; ∆G of metamorphic reactions (solid-solid and dehydration reactions); Geothermobarometry and PT paths. Petrographic details of some important metamorphic rocks such as - slate, phyllite, schists, gneiss, quartzite, marble, charnockite, leptynite, khnodalite etc.

 The course definitly provides better understanding to students for the processes and principles involved during the origin and evolution of the metamorphic rocks. The course contains video, text, assignment, quiz, case studies, references etc and I hope it will be useful for the geology students within and outside India. Last but not least, I highly accept any comments, questions or suggestion for the improvement of this course.
Summary
Course Status : Completed
Course Type : Core
Duration : 15 weeks
Category :
  • Applied Sciences
Credit Points : 4
Level : Postgraduate
Start Date : 15 Jul 2019
End Date : 30 Oct 2019
Exam Date : 10 Nov 2019 IST

Note: This exam date is subjected to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


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Course layout

Duration of Course id 16 Week.

Week 1 : 
W1 Introduction, W1D1 Geology and it’s perspective, W1D2 Carrer in geology, W1D3 Silicate mineral classification, W1D4 Metamorphic petrology an Overview, W1D5 Assignments, W1D6 Weekly tests 

Week 2 :
W2 Week Introduction (Metamorphic Petrology), W2D1  - Definition of metamorphism (Metamorphic Petrology), W2D2 Limits of metamorphism (Metamorphic Petrology), W2D3 Factor controlling metamorphism (Metamorphic Petrology), W2D4 Assignments (Metamorphic Petrology & Thermodynamics), W2D5 Assignment (Metamorphic Petrology & Thermodynamics), W2D6 Weekly test (Metamorphic Petrology & Thermodynamics)

Week 3 :
W3 Introduction, W3D1 - Types of metamorphism, W3D2 – Zone of Metamorphism, W3D3 – Grade of metamorphism, W3D4 - assignment, discussion and forum activities. W3D5 - assignment, discussion and forum activities and finally W3D6 - week

Week 4 :
W4 Introduction, W4D1 – Concept of metamorphic facies, W4D2 – Type of metamorphic facies, W4D3 – Metamorphic facies series, W4D4 - Plate tectonic and metamorphic facies series, W4D5 - assignment, discussion and forum activities, and finally W4D6 - weekly test

Week 5 :
W5 Introduction, W5D1 - Phase Rules, W5D2 - Gibbs phase Rule, W5D3 - Goldschmidt’s Mineralogical Phase Rule, W5D4 - Phase diagram for metamorphic mineral assemblages, ACF diagrams. W5D5 - assignment, discussion and forum activities W5D6 - weekly test

Week 6 :
W6 Introduction, W6D1 – AKF diagram, W6D2 – AFM Projection, W6D3 – A’F’M’ diagram, W6D4 – CaO-MgO-SiO2 & Al2O3-MgO-SiO2 diagrams, W6D5 - assignment, discussion and forum activities W6D6 - weekly test 

Week 7 :
W7 Introduction, W7D1 – Parent composition of metamorphic rocks, W7D2 – Metamorphic Rocks & Their nomenclature, W7D3 – Metamorphic reactions, W7D4 – Schreinemakers Rules, W7D5 - Assignment, discussion and forum activities W7D6 - Weekly test 

Week 8 :
W8 Introduction, W8D1- Facies of low pressure: Albite Epidote Hornfels Facies; W8D2 Hornblende - Hornfels Facies; W8D3 Pyroxene – Hornfels Facies, W8D4 Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity; W8D5 Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity, along with every day quiz, assignment, and finally W8D6 weekly test

Week 9 :
W9 Introduction, W9D1- Sanidinite Facies; W9D2 - Zeolite Facies; W9D3 - Green Schist Facies, W9D4 - Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity; W9D5 Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity, along with every day quiz, assignment, and finally W9D6- weekly test
 
Week 10 :
W10 Introduction, W10D1- Amphibolite facies; W10D2 – Granulite Facies; W10D3 – de Waard, 1965 classification for granulite, W10D4 - Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity; W10D5 Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity, along with every day quiz, assignment, and finally W10D6 weekly test 

Week 11 :
W11 Introduction, : W11D1- Origin of charnockite; W11D2 – Blue schist facies; W11D3 – Eclogite facies, W11D4 - Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity; W11D5 Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity, along with every day quiz, assignment, and finally W11D6 week will be ending with weekly test

Week 12 :
W12 Introduction, W12D1- Regional metamorphism of pelitic rocks; W12D2 – Regional metamorphism of mafic and basic rocks; W12D3 – Regional metamorphism of calcareous rocks; W12D4 – Regional metamorphism of ultramafic or ultrabasic rocks; W12D5 Assignment and Interaction/Forum activity, along with every day quiz, assignment, and finally W12D6 week will be ending with weekly test. 

Week 13 :
W13 Introduction, W13D1 - Thermal metamorphism of calcareous rocks; W13D2 - Thermal metamorphism of pelitic hornfels; W13D3 - Thermal metamorphism of basic or mafic rocks;;W13D4 - Thermal metamorphism of ultramafic or ultrabasic rocks. W13D5 - Assignments, discussion and forum activitie and finally W13D6 - week will be ending with weekly test along with every day quiz and assignments
.  
Week 14 :
W14 Introduction, W14D1 - Migmatite, along with Quiz and Assignment; W14D2 - Crustal Melting and Granitic/Felsic magma, along with Quiz and Assignment; W14D3 -  Metasomatism, along with Quiz and Assignment; W14D4 - Metamorphic Differentiation, along with Quiz and Assignment. W14D5 - Assignments, discussion and forum activities and finally W14D6 - Week will be ending with weekly test along with every day quiz and assignments

Week 15 :
W15 Introduction, W15D1 – Structure of Metamorphic Rocks; W15D2 – Texture of Metamorphic Rocks; W15D3 - Textures & Microstrurctures of Deformed Rocks; W15D4 – Metamorphic P-T path, W15D5 - Assignments, discussion and forum activities and finally W15D6 - week will be ending with weekly test along with every day quiz and assignments.

Week 16 :
W16 Introduction, W16D1 – Law of Thermodynamics; W16D2 – Geothermometer; W16D3 - Geobarometer; W16D4 – application of Geothermobarometer, W16D5 - Assignments, discussion and forum activities and finally W16D6 - week will be ending with weekly test along with every day quiz and assignments.

Instructor bio

Professor (Dr.) Harel Thomas
Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar

Dr. Harel Thomas is Professor in the Department of Applied Geology, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar. He obtained his B.Sc. (Hons); M.Sc. Geology; & Ph.D. from (BHU) Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi, U. P. India. His M.Sc. dissertation was on the topic, “The Petrographic studies of the Precambrian rocks from Hook-Syncline district-Udaipur, Rajasthan. His Ph.D. work involved documenting the evolution of the Granulite (in terms of Pressure, Temperature, and Tectonic Evolution). He has made significant contributions on the granulite of Rajasthan. He has  to his credit the Research Associateship and the Young Scientist Project Awards of the Council of Scientific and Industrail Research [CSIR, New Delhi] and Department of Science and Technology [DST, New Delhi]. He has developed several software having applications in diverse field of Earth Science including calculation of Pressure - Temperature and activity of metamorphic minerals. The software’s are used in different universities and research labs. He has authored more than fourty research papers that form the of several National and International journals.  He joined Department of Applied Geology, Sagar Vishwavidyalaya in year 1998 as an Assistant Professor and he also served as a Reader in the Department of Geology, Mizoram Central University, Aizawl in year 2004. 

He has been instrumental in the publication of one volume on Metamorphism and Crustal Evolution in year 2005, which contain a wealth of scientific data. He has developed nearly 30 E-content on Petrology (Metamorphic & Igneous) and Mineralogy through EMMRC, Sagar which are already available on CEC-UGC-MHRD New Delhi web site. He also recorded more than 40 footages on metamorphic and igneous petrology through EMMRC, Sagar for CEC-UGC-MHRD, New Delhi, which are continuously telecast on SWAYAMPRABHA National Channels. He has supervised many students for Doctorate Degrees. All are well established in different organization such as NIT, Central University, and Officers in GSI. He is regularly visiting as a Guest Professor in the Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu Nepal Since 2012.

He is also engaged in Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on petrology for undergraduate students of Geology. This course contains audios, videos, graphics, animation, text etc., which is based on Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). The course has successfully completed third cycles with rating of 4.9 out of 5. The course has completed all cycles with examination and result declaration.

He is currently teaching metamorphic, igneous Petrology and mineralogy in the postgraduate and undergraduate students of the Department of Applied Geology Sagar University, Sagar. The thrust area of his research interest is the metamorphic and tectonic evolution of the high-grade gneisses and granulite.

Course certificate

30 Marks will be allocated for Internal Assessment and 70 Marks will be allocated for external proctored examination.


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