Crystallization of Magmas

John Ayers

Vanderbilt University

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection. (view details)

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Initial Publication Date: June 28, 2010 | Reviewed: October 21, 2012 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

Students use three methods to explore the crystallization behavior of a rock of known composition at 1 atmosphere pressure. This laboratory exercise illustrates various approaches used by geochemists and petrologists, and asks the student to critically evaluate them.

Elements, Phase Equilibria/Thermodynamics, Geology | College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

Upper level undergraduate course in Geochemistry or Petrology

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

How to interpret ternary phase diagrams; optical identification of minerals in grain mounts; use of Excel (and PowerPoint if results are presented to class)

How the activity is situated in the course

Students worked on this laboratory exercise over two 3-hour lab periods. It works best if students are divided into three groups; each group gets a different rock composition; groups take turns working on the three modules; groups then give presentations, showing other students what they learned about their rock.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Use of phase diagrams;
Performing laboratory and numerical experiments to simulate the earth;
Using diagrams to classify and identify tectonic setting of igneous rocks

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Analyzing data;
Critical evaluation of competing models;
Application of key concepts

Other skills goals for this activity

Working in groups
Oral presentations
Optical mineralogy
Plotting data

Description of the activity/assignment

In this laboratory exercise students explore the crystallization behavior of a rock of known composition at 1 atmosphere pressure using experimental and numerical methods and phase diagrams. They also create and use diagrams to classify their igneous rock and identify its tectonic setting. They compare results of the three methods, and then give a presentation of their results to the class.