UE Deep field internship

The aim of this course is to illustrate, through the study of rocks from the Maures massif, the fundamental concepts taught in magmatic and metamorphic petrology courses, and to apply techniques for characterizing deep crustal deformed rocks. In the field, particular attention will be paid to (1) textural and mineralogical description leading to rock identification; (2) characterization of the source and type of magmatism; (3) identification of protoliths and characterization of the degree of metamorphism; and (4) recognition of structural objects and analysis of deformation.

A geological cross-section will be drawn across a varied range of rocks, from surface detrital deposits to the base of the lower crust. The Variscan geological history of the Maures massif will be complemented by a study of Permian volcanism in the neighboring Esterel massif.

Hourly volume:

Field: 27h

• Use fundamental concepts and multidisciplinary analytical tools (tectonics, structural geology, magmatic and metamorphic petrology, cartography, microstructural analyses) to conduct a complete examination of rocks and orogenic structures encountered in the field.
• Teach students the techniques of field geology in deep crustal domains, in particular: reading and interpreting topographic and geological maps, observing and describing rocks and outcrops, measuring structural objects (foliations, lineations, folds, faults, shear zones, etc.) and transferring them to stereographic projections, section surveying, etc. ... ;
• Introduce the notions of changes of scale in geology (from mineral to tectonic plate) and show the importance of multidisciplinary data integration.

HAT306T UE Minerals and rocks

HAT301T UE Sedimentary geology, tectonics and cartography

HAT302T UE Structural geology

HAT409T STAG Field placement

HAT402T UE Cartography

HAT405T UE Geology of France

HAT510T UE Endogenous petrology

HAT505T UE Major tectonic systems

Recommended prerequisites:

HAT102T UE Geology

HAT101T UE The Earth and its resources

HAV213T UE Earth evolution and regional geological history

Continuous assessment: field reports, oral presentations, bibliographical reports, etc.

Description of the themes/manips covered during your field trip(s) and details of destinations/sites

Locations: Massif des Maures (magmatic and metamorphic rocks) and Esterel (volcanic rocks)

• Fundamental concepts (L2-L3 level) of magmatic and metamorphic petrology, and tectonics/structural geology in the ductile domain.
• Textural and mineralogical description leading to rock identification 
• Characterization of the source and type of magmatism 
• Identifying protoliths and characterizing the degree of metamorphism
• Structural object recognition and ductile deformation analysis
• Geological cross-section through a variety of orogenic rocks
• Variscan geological history of the Maures massif
• Study of Permian volcanism in the Esterel massif.

Identify an endogenous rock by characterizing its texture and mineralogy

Identify the source of a magmatic rock and the protolith of a metamorphic rock

Determine a metamorphic gradient on a massif scale

Mastering field geology techniques in deep crustal domains

Draw a geological section through magmatic and metamorphic rocks

Identify structural objects in ductilely deformed rocks

Analyze ductile deformation regimes and understand polyphase tectonic events