Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes

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Crossed polars image of reversely zoned clinopyroxene in high-Mg andesite from Whaleback volcano, near Mt. Shasta, CA; image diameter ca. 2 mm (M. Streck).

Short Course Description

On-Line Tutorials

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Plane light view of quartz with melt inclusions from a 0.5 Ma high-SiO2 rhyolite from Kos Island in the Aegean Arc (Schnyder & O. Bachmann); crystals are ca. 3mm across.

• Teaching Phase Equilibria --
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  This web-based learning resource provides a comprehensive introduction to heterogeneous phase equilibria in the geosciences. This site contains the essential background information needed to understand phase equilibria, links to related resources, examples of worked problems, and teaching activities. This module includes: fundamental principles starting with the Gibbs' Phase Rule; descriptions, definitions and worked examples of standard topics like the Clapeyron Equation, activity models, methods for deriving and balancing metamorphic reactions, the method of Schreinemakers to construct phase diagrams; examples of binary and ternary phase diagrams of geologic systems (including animated versions that demonstrate the "lever rule" and take students step-by-step through the reactions; and user-friendly tutorials for modern thermodynamic modeling programs such as ThermoCalc, MELTS, TWQ, and Perplex.
• Geochemical Instrumentation and Analysis --
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  A series of "primers" on geochemical analytical techniques including fundamental principles, descriptions of instruments, typical applications, strengths and limitations, sample collection and preparation, results, data presentation, interpretation, as well as links to the literature and other on-line resources for users to pursue a deeper understanding of these topics. Instruments featured include X-ray diffraction, electron beam (SEM, WDS, EDS, EMPA, CL, BSE, EBSD), and mass spectrometry (TIMS, ICPMS, gas source). The goal is to help novices (e.g. students, or scientists working out of their field) to become critical consumers and producers of data using the arsenal of mineralogical, petrological and geochemical analytical techniques available.

Teaching Activities for Topics of Interest

Thermobarometry

• Crystal Structures as Geobarometers (cpx) -- Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
  
• Olivine Thermobarometry -- Keith Putirka, California State University, Fresno
  Please contribute additional teaching activities!

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BSE image of zoned feldspar from Mt. St. Helens, Kalama age (A. Lieuallen & F. Tepley).

Geochemistry of Fluid and Melt Inclusions

• Crystallization and Differentiation of Basaltic Magma (Kilauea Iki) -- Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University
• Petrography and Petrogenesis of a Mid-Ocean Ridge Lava Suite -- Antthew Smith and Michael Perfit, University of Florida
• Origins of Mafic Enclaves in the Dinkey Creek ;pluton, Central Sierra Nevada Batholith, California --Jade Star Lackey, University of Wisconsin

Isotopic Studies and Age-Dating Techniques Applied to Minerals

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Nomarski (NDIC) image of plagioclase phenocryst and groundmass from 1985 lava flow of Arenal volcano, Costa Rica; phenocryst is 300 ºm in length (M. Streck).

Kinetics of Mineral Growth and the Genesis of Mineral Textures

• Crystal and Glass Formation from a Melt and a Glimpse into Archaeometallurgy Through the Eyes of a Binary Eutectic Phase Diagram -- Dori Farthing, University of Dayton
• Compositional Diversity in Volcanic Suites -- Kent Ratajeski, Montana State University

The Role of Volatiles During Magma Evolution and Ascent

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Students exploring 2.0 Ma basalt flow at Hepburn Mesa, just north of Yellowstone National Park. Photo courtesy of Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota.

The Physics of Mineral-Melt Segregation

• Properties of Rhyolite Magma -- Barbara Nash, University of Utah
• Flow of Andesite Lava -- Barbara Nash, Universithy of Utah
• Viscosity Experiments: Physical Ontrols and Implications for Volcanic Hazards -- Ben Edwards, Dickinson College
• The Nature of Volanism as Controlled by Viscosity -- Liz King, Illinois State University
• Homework on Stoke's Law and Magmatic Differentiation --Jane Selverstone, University of New Mexico

Contribute a Teaching Resource

Please contribute additional teaching activities to this collection! Simply access the "contribute" form via the link above, provide a bit of contextual information about the exercise, and upload any related files: word documents, Excel spread sheets, PDFs, and JPEGs or other images. This should only take about 15 minutes to complete. We have to do a few manual steps in the "background" so it may take a few days before you see your contribution posted.

Use this form to also contribute scholarly articlesthat could be used to teach about minerals, melts and volcanic processes; related on-line resources (e.g. URLs of favorite websites that have important or interesting information about melts and volcanic processes); and course syllabi.