The first didactic unit (mineralogy and georesources) aims at providing the student with a basic knowledge of geological mineralogy, an introduction to the exploitation of mineral resources in the frame of environmental sustainability, and the use of geological materials in science, art and technology. The second didactic unit (petrography) aims at providing a knowledge of the behavior and properties of metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks in the evolution of the planet Earth. The expected learning outcomes are the students’ ability to recognize rocks and minerals together with the perception of their meaning in terms of genesis and geological evolution, and the understanding of the use of geological materials in the context of a respect for the environment.
teacher profile teaching materials
Laboratory. Introduction to the petrographic microscope. Relief and Becke line test. Color and pleochroism. Interference colors and birefringence estimation. Interference figures of uniaxial and biaxial minerals. Optical properties and identification of the principal rock forming minerals.
Various lecture notes provided by the Lecturer.
Programme
Nature of light as an electromagnetic wave. Polarizing microscope. Reflection, refraction, dispersion and polarization. Refractive indices and Snell's law. Birefringence. Uniaxial and biaxial indicatrix. Optical properties of minerals using polarized light: color, form and habit, cleavage, pleochroism, refractive index, relief, Becke line. Optical properties of minerals using crossed polars: interference colors, extinction, and elongation sign. Optical properties of the most common rock forming minerals.Laboratory. Introduction to the petrographic microscope. Relief and Becke line test. Color and pleochroism. Interference colors and birefringence estimation. Interference figures of uniaxial and biaxial minerals. Optical properties and identification of the principal rock forming minerals.
Core Documentation
Manual of Mineralogy. Klein C. and Hurlbut C.S., ed. John Wiley & Sons. INC (textbook).Various lecture notes provided by the Lecturer.
Reference Bibliography
Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy. Dyar M.D. e Gunter M., M.S.A.; Fondamenti di Mineralogia Geologica. Mottana A., ed. Zanichelli;Attendance
Attendance of at least 2/3 of the lecture hours is mandatory. Working students are exempt from the attendance requirement.Type of evaluation
Written exam on the main topics covered in the course. Practical test consisting of the analysis of a rock using a polarizing microscope. teacher profile teaching materials
Optical properties of minerals under plane-polarized light: crystal habit and form; fractures and cleavage traces; color and pleochroism; relief and Becke line.
Optical properties with crossed polars: interference colors and birefringence; extinction type and extinction angle.
Optical properties in convergent light: optical sign and 2V angle for uniaxial and biaxial minerals.
Petrographic Optics Module:
Identification of igneous rocks: microstructure and texture of igneous rocks; absolute and relative crystal sizes, degree of crystallinity, and crystal orientation.
Identification of main minerals in igneous rocks: olivines, pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas, feldspars, quartz.
Identification of main igneous rocks: basalt, rhyolite, trachyte, leucitite, granite, monzonite, syenite, granodiorite.
Identification of main minerals in metamorphic rocks: epidotes, sodic amphiboles, garnets, omphacites, chlorite, calcite.
Identification of main metamorphic rocks: blueschist, eclogite, phyllite, greenschist, granulite, orthogneiss.
2) PETROGRAFIA MICROSCOPICA. ZEZZA U. LA GOLIARDICA PAVESE
Programme
Mineralogical Optics Module:Optical properties of minerals under plane-polarized light: crystal habit and form; fractures and cleavage traces; color and pleochroism; relief and Becke line.
Optical properties with crossed polars: interference colors and birefringence; extinction type and extinction angle.
Optical properties in convergent light: optical sign and 2V angle for uniaxial and biaxial minerals.
Petrographic Optics Module:
Identification of igneous rocks: microstructure and texture of igneous rocks; absolute and relative crystal sizes, degree of crystallinity, and crystal orientation.
Identification of main minerals in igneous rocks: olivines, pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas, feldspars, quartz.
Identification of main igneous rocks: basalt, rhyolite, trachyte, leucitite, granite, monzonite, syenite, granodiorite.
Identification of main minerals in metamorphic rocks: epidotes, sodic amphiboles, garnets, omphacites, chlorite, calcite.
Identification of main metamorphic rocks: blueschist, eclogite, phyllite, greenschist, granulite, orthogneiss.
Core Documentation
1) Introduzione alla petrografia ottica. di Angelo Peccerillo, Diego Perugini, Morlacchi, 20032) PETROGRAFIA MICROSCOPICA. ZEZZA U. LA GOLIARDICA PAVESE
Reference Bibliography
1) Introduzione alla petrografia ottica. di Angelo Peccerillo, Diego Perugini, Morlacchi, 2003 2) PETROGRAFIA MICROSCOPICA. ZEZZA U. LA GOLIARDICA PAVESEAttendance
Attendance at lectures and exercises is mandatory. The course is practical and will take place entirely in the laboratory.Type of evaluation
A practical laboratory test is conducted, consisting of the examination of thin sections of igneous and metamorphic rocks using a petrographic microscope.