GEY 252 - Hierarchy of Earth Materials

This course employs a field-intensive approach to understand the hierarchy of earth materials. Large-scale petro-tectonic assemblages comprise unique assemblages of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, which in turn comprise various minerals made of elements and/or their ions. Students investigate the wide diversity of earth materials that results from fractionation and/or mixing processes operating both at the Earth’s surface and at depth. As forensic scientists, they integrate field evidence, observations from study of thin sections with a polarizing microscope, and geochemical data to elucidate the origin of various igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary materials. Course Typically Offered: Every fall.

Prerequisite(s): GEY 142 or permission of the instructor.

Credits: 4