GEOS 2114/2914: Volcanoes, Hot Rocks, and Minerals

GEOS 2114 Volcanoes, Hot Rocks, and Minerals
GEOS 2914 Volcanoes, Hot Rocks, and Minerals (Advanced)
Dr Derek Wyman, Dr Patrice Rey, Prof Geoff Clarke

Session: February
Classes: 2 lec hrs, 3 prac hrs
Prerequisites: GEOS 1003 or ENVI 1002 or equivalent and 24 credit points of Junior Science units of study.
Prohibitions: GEOL 2111, GEOL 2911, CIVL 2409
Assessment: One 2hr exam, practical reports, field trip report, group presentation

This Unit of Study relates the plate tectonics of subduction zones to a) volcanoes and their hazards, b) geological processes in the deep crust, and c) the formation of precious metal and gemstone ores around the Pacific Rim. A problem solving approach is used to develop the skills required to understand the history of individual volcanoes and predict their future activity and hazards. The Unit includes a two- to three-day field trip to study an extinct volcano in NSW. Practical work includes independent study of igneous systems, rocks, and minerals employing both microscope-based techniques and computer modeling. The unit provides relevant knowledge for GEOS 3006 and GEOS 3906, Mineral Deposits & Spatial Data Analysis.

Course Outline (pdf)