EU Deep-Sea Field Training Course

This field course aims to illustrate, through the study of rocks from the Maures Massif, the fundamental concepts covered in the magmatic and metamorphic petrology course, and to apply techniques for characterizing deep, deformed crustal rocks. In the field, particular attention will be paid to (1) textural and mineralogical descriptions 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 features and analysis of deformation.

A geological cross-section will be mapped through a diverse range of rocks, extending from surface detrital deposits to the base of the lower crust. The Variscan geological history of the Maures Massif will be supplemented by a study of Permian volcanism in the neighboring Esterel Massif.

Number of hours:

Land: 27 hectares

• Use fundamental concepts and multidisciplinary analytical tools (tectonics, structural geology, magmatic and metamorphic petrology, mapping, microstructural analysis) to conduct a comprehensive examination of the rocks and orogenic structures encountered in the field.
• To teach students field geology techniques in the deep crust, with a particular focus on: reading and interpreting topographic and geological maps; observing and describing rocks and outcrops; measuring structural features (foliations, lineations, folds, faults, shear zones, …) and plotting them using stereographic projections, cross-section mapping, etc.;
• Introduce the concepts of changes in scale in geology (from minerals to tectonic plates) and demonstrate the importance of multidisciplinary data integration.

HAT306T Course: Minerals and Rocks

HAT301T Course: Sedimentary Geology, Tectonics, and Mapping

HAT302T Course: Structural Geology

HAT409T STAG Field Internship

HAT402T Course: Cartography

HAT405T Course: Geology of France

HAT510T Course: Endogenous Petrology

HAT505T Course: Major Tectonic Systems

Recommended prerequisites:

HAT102T Geology Course

HAT101T Course: Earth and Its Resources

HAV213T Course: Earth's Evolution and Regional Geological History

Comprehensive ongoing assessment: field reports, oral presentations, bibliographic reports, etc.

Description of the topics/hands-on activities covered during your field trip(s) and details on the destinations/sites

Locations: The Maures Massif (igneous and metamorphic rocks) and the Esterel Massif (volcanic rocks)

• Fundamentals (Levels L2–L3) of magmatic and metamorphic petrology, and of tectonics/structural geology in a ductile setting.
• Textural and mineralogical descriptions leading to the identification of rocks 
• Characterization of the source and type of magmatism 
• Identification of protoliths and characterization of the degree of metamorphism
• Recognition of Structural Objects and Analysis of Ductile Deformation
• Geological cross-section through a diverse set of orogenic rocks
• Variscan Geological History of the Maures Massif
• A Study of Permian Volcanism in the Esterel Massif.

Be able to identify an endogenous rock by characterizing its texture and mineralogy

Be able to distinguish the source of a magmatic rock from the protolith of a metamorphic rock

Knowing how to determine a metamorphic gradient at the scale of a mountain range

Mastering field geology techniques in deep crustal settings

Know how to create a geological cross-section through igneous and metamorphic rocks

Be able to identify the structural features of ductilely deformed rocks

Be able to analyze ductile deformation regimes and understand the polyphasic nature of tectonic events