Tectonic petrology

FaculteitFaculty of Geosciences

NiveauBachelor

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.

At the end of the course, students:

have insight in concepts relevant to orogenesis and can apply these concepts;
can apply systems thinking in plate tectonics related to the formation and evolution of oceanic and continental lithosphere;
can analyze and interpret geochronological, geochemical and radiogenic isotopic datasets related to oceanic and continental crust formation, subduction zones, mountain building and exhumation;
have obtained practical experience in identifying and characterizing structures and rock types formed in internal and external zones from orogenic systems, from the micro- to macro-scale;
have basic insight into the relation between plate tectonics and the distribution of critical elements and metals.

In completing this course, students will develop transferrable skills including:

Analytical and quantitative skills: Students will analyze and apply the knowledge gained in lectures to tectonic case studies and applied examples
Technical skills: Practical exercises will include petrographic microscopy exercises on igneous and metamorphic rocks
Team working skills: Practical exercises will be done individually or in pairs (determined by the instructor). If done in pairs, both members are responsible for the final product
Written and oral communication skills: A final project, also done in pairs, on a ‘tectonic problem’ of the team’s choosing includes a written report and some form of active presentation (poster, skit, PowerPoint, to be decided by the team and presented at a student symposium);
Problem-solving skills: Practical exercises and exam questions will test conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and application of concepts and techniques, thereby assessing student ability to synthesize and address tectonic questions.

Content

This course emphasizes the combined utility of radiogenic isotopes, igneous and metamorphic petrology, and structural geology to reconstruct detailed rock formation processes in ancient and active tectonic environments. Framed around the plate tectonic cycle, we will discuss topics such as the formation and alteration of oceanic lithosphere, subduction, volcanic arcs, mountain building and associated sedimentary basin formation, and at each stage address how radiogenic isotopes and geochemistry can inform the absolute timing, conditions, and rates of material formation and recycling. The course will introduce concepts related to each stage of the plate tectonic cycle and emphasize the application of quantitative methods and geochemical techniques to a variety of case studies, for example: quantifying the timing and conditions of oceanic and continental crust formation, analyzing the conditions and environments that favor concentration of critical elements and metals, the temperature evolution of the lithosphere, timing, conditions and rates of vertical motions including burial and exhumation of rocks and the creation of accommodation space.

Each week or module will be framed around a stage of the tectonic cycle, and will highlight an example of a concept or technique in radiogenic isotopes, petrology, and/or structural geology. We will then apply each concept to a regional case study, tectonic question, or process, to provide concrete examples of the significance of the technique or concept. The chosen concepts will emphasize the interconnectivity of the tectonic and geochemical processes addressed in the course and the applications will provide examples of quantitative approaches to reconstructing the timing and conditions of earth systems formation and evolution.

Practical exercises may include optical microscopy and exercises on igneous and metamorphic petrology (also hand samples), including identifying rock-forming minerals, describing and interpreting microstructural features, describing and interpreting igneous and metamorphic textures. Additionally, students will gain experience applying quantitative techniques or analyzing and interpreting geochemical or isotopic datasets.

Students will complete final projects in pairs. Pairs will select a ‘tectonic problem’ or topic of their choosing from a provided list and will do a short literature review and written summary of a key tectonic question, process, or environment, followed by a visual presentation. The presentation can be done with media of each team’s choosing, e.g., a poster presentation, skit, comic book, news broadcast, but must be discussed and agreed upon with the lecturers in advance.

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