Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Allen Glazner, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
In this exercise, students use whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions of igneous rocks from a variety of tectonic settings and locations to explore the importance of plate setting in determining magma ...

Binary Phase Diagram Problems part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Dave Hirsch, Western Washington University
This activity features a problem set designed to make students think carefully about the link between phase diagrams and textures.

Phase Diagrams part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota-Main Campus
This is a somewhat lengthy homework assignment that introduces students to phase diagrams. It is a tutorial that stands alone and does not need much introduction.

Mass Balance and Mineral Reactions part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota-Main Campus
This is a short exercise to make sure that students understand mass balance and how the different starting assemblages may lead to different results after metamorphism. It is quick but not trivial.

Interpreting T-X Diagrams part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota-Main Campus
This exercise is designed to help students learn how to interpret T-X phase diagrams. It also introduces them to the systematics of reactions involving a group of minerals.

AFM Diagram Quiz part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota-Main Campus
This is a short problem set I use to determine if students know how to interpret AFM diagrams. I call it a quiz but it is really more of a learning experience. It works well as an in-class group exercise.

Metamorphic Rocks and Fabrics in Outcrops CogSketch geoscience worksheet part of Introductory Courses:Activities
Bridget Garnier
Sketching activity that uses a sketch-understanding program, CogSketch. Students identify bedding, cleavage, boudinage, and deformed clasts in four outcrop photos and indicate the elongation and/or shortening ...

Metamorphism of siliceous dolostone: An example from the Alta stock, Utah part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Cameron Davidson, Carleton College
In this exercise students study the low variance mineral assemblages from the contact aureole of the Alta stock to learn how rock and fluid compositions control mineral assemblages during contact metamorphism.

Volcanic Histories part of Introductory Courses:Activities
Robert Filson, Green River Community College
Students collaborate on the history and hazards of two volcanoes based on deposits from the two mountains. Appropriate for introductory students.

Geothermal Gradients part of Petrology:Teaching Examples
Cameron Davidson, Carleton College
In this problem set the students use two different equations to calculate a conductive geothermal gradient using a spreadsheet program like Excel. Once they have the geothermal gradient plotted, they are asked to ...