EU Field internship in a specialized field

This internship aims to illustrate, through the study of rocks from the Maures massif, the fundamental concepts presented in magmatic and metamorphic petrology courses, and to apply techniques for characterizing deeply deformed crustal rocks. In the field, particular attention will be paid to (1) textural and mineralogical description leading to the identification of rocks; (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 surveyed across a varied set of rocks, ranging 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.

Hours per week:

Field: 27 hours

• 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.
• Teach students field geology techniques in deep crustal areas, with a particular focus on: reading and interpreting topographic and geological maps, observing and describing rocks and outcrops, measuring structural features (foliation, lineation, folds, faults, shear zones, , etc.) and their transfer by stereographic projections, cross-section surveying, etc.
• Introduce the concepts of scale changes in geology (from minerals to tectonic plates) and demonstrate the importance of multidisciplinary data integration.

HAT306T EU Minerals and Rocks

HAT301T Sedimentary Geology, Tectonics, and Cartography

HAT302T Structural Geology

HAT409T STAG Fieldwork

HAT402T EU Cartography

HAT405T EU Geology of France

HAT510T Endogenous Petrology

HAT505T EU Major Tectonic Systems

Recommended prerequisites:

HAT102T EU Geology

HAT101T EU The Earth and its resources

HAV213T EU Evolution of the Earth and regional geological history

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

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

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

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

Knowing how to identify an endogenous rock by characterizing its texture and mineralogy

Knowing how to distinguish between the source of an igneous rock and the protolith of a metamorphic rock

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

Mastering field geology techniques in deep crustal areas

Knowing how to make a geological cross-section through igneous and metamorphic rocks

Knowing how to identify the structural features of ductilely deformed rocks

Knowing how to analyze ductile deformation regimes and understand the polyphasing of tectonic events