| Unit name | Petrological Phase Equilibria |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASCM1003 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Walter |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
EASC20035 Mineralogy & Petrology |
| Co-requisites | |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Melting in the Earth is controlled by multi-component phase equilibria. Likewise, crystallisation and differentiation of melt depends on the relevant mineral-melt phase relations. Predicting the kinds of melts that can be produced in Earth through melting and crystallisation processes requires a thorough understatnding of the chemical and thermodynamic basis of melting phase equilibria. In this course we will take a systematic approach to the construction and interpretation of phase diagrams in both simplified and complex chemical systems related to Earth's mantle and core. We will explore geometric, algebraic, and thermodynamic descriptions of melting phase relations. These tools will be used to assess the modern understanding of melting and crystallisation processes that occurred during the early formative period of Earth's history (the Hadean), throughout it's evolution, and in the current state.
