Experimental Methods in Petrology

Abstract

This course introduces the most common experimental methods employed in petrology. Such methods can be used to determine thermodynamic data, physical properties and phase equilibria of minerals, magmas and fluids. The course consists of about 1/3 theory combined with 2/3 hands-on lab-work to demonstrate how experiments are performed in practice.

Objective

The principal goal is to gain knowledge on experimental techniques, and on the principle setup to obtain quantitative data on e.g. phase relations, thermodynamic, kinetic and rheological properties of Earth materials. At the end of the course, participants should be able to evaluate experimental data independently, and design appropriate experiments on their own.

Content

Among other aspects 'Experimental methods in petrology' covers the following subjects: (1) Introduction and historical development of experimental petrology. (2) Experimental methods at ambient pressure (1 bar) with practical exercise to determine basic thermodynamic data. (3) Starting and capsule materials; techniques to buffer chemical activities. (4) Experimental methods at moderate pressures: externally and internally heated gas-pressure devices. (5) High-pressure solid-media experimental techniques (piston cylinders). (6) Ultrahigh-pressure experimental techniques: multi-anvil apparatus, diamond-anvil-cells. (7) Evaluation of petrologic experiments (preparation of run products, analytical and spectroscopic methods of examination and quantification). The experiments performed during lab-work will be evaluated in the context of a small research project, which is introduced during the course.

Resources