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    Overview

    Practical and theoretical investigations of magmatic rock suites, with the goal of understanding the processes that lead to volcanism on Earth.

    About this paper

    Paper title Advanced Topics in Igneous Processes
    Subject Geology
    EFTS 0.0833
    Points 10 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $723.96
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Restriction
    GEOL 422
    Eligibility

    This is an honours / first-year MSc paper, and students are expected to have a bachelor's degree in Geology, or equivalent, including undergraduate papers on igneous rocks and geochemistry.

    Contact

    geology@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Co-ordinators: Professor James White or Dr Marco Brenna

    Paper Structure
    • Early-semester half- to full-day field trip
    • Laboratory session(s), including petrography, SEM-EDS, etc.
    • Weekly seminar sessions 1.5 hrs each

    Topics:

    • Review of petrology and geochemistry
    • Context of Otago volcanism
    • Geochemistry of Dunedin Volcanic Group (DVG)
    • The mantle beneath Otago
    • Partial melting and melt extraction
    • Magmatic evolution in the DVG
    • Volcanic systems
    • How central is central volcanism?
    • Timescales of volcano growth
    • Cryptodomes, sills, dikes
    • Joints: thermal and other
    • Enclaves, magma mingling, mixing timescales
    • Review
    Teaching Arrangements

    In person or Zoom seminars, plus self-directed reading and analysis.

    Textbooks

    Textbooks are not required for this paper.

    Course outline

    Course outline (previous syllabus is indicative of content the next time the paper is taught).

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised

    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will have:

    • Thorough understanding of the mechanisms and processes controlling magmatic generation, evolution, ascent and eruption (Scholarship, Interdisciplinary perspective)
    • Comprehensive knowledge of the different physical components of a volcano's plumbing system and how they result and modify the landscape (Critical thinking, Self-motivation)
    • In-depth knowledge of the interaction between magmas and Earth's surface and the resulting eruptions and effects on society (Environmental literacy)
    • Confidence in the ability to design and undertake volcanic-related field and laboratory research and to communicate information and ideas, both orally and in writing, resulting from own work (Research, Communication, Information literacy)

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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