Materials of the Earth

The aim of this course is to introduce the concepts and tools used to observe and describe minerals and magmatic and metamorphic rocks and to understand their formation. The course will begin with an introduction to the concepts of mineralogy (crystallography, crystal chemistry) and the tools needed to identify the minerals that make up magmatic and metamorphic rocks. You will then study the structure and nature of the mantle and the processes involved from the formation of magmas to the eruption of magmatic rocks: partial melting, crystallization, crustal assimilation, and magmatic mixing. You will learn to distinguish between different magmatic series based on their chemical compositions and physical properties. The link between eruptive processes, hazards, and volcanic risks will also be discussed. In the third part, we will introduce the main variables (pressure, temperature, time) and the different geodynamic contexts of metamorphism. We will look at the different metamorphic facies, the structures and textures of metamorphic rocks, and you will learn to recognize mineral reactions and interpret them in terms of metamorphic evolution.

The combined study of magmatic and metamorphic rocks will provide the basis for understanding issues related to the geodynamics of the Earth's interior, geochemical cycles, mineral resources, etc.

- Know the tools used to describe minerals, igneous and metamorphic rocks (chemistry, mineralogy, texture, etc.).

- Know how to identify minerals, igneous rocks, and metamorphic rocks through macroscopic and microscopic observation.

- Relate igneous or metamorphic rocks to their formation processes and know how to interpret the associated geodynamic context.

- Ability to work independently, describe, write, summarize.