Volcanology and Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains unit (KEA708)

Hobart

Introduction

This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date reviews of approaches to (i) mapping, (ii) facies analysis, and (iii) understanding mineralisation processes in volcanic terrains. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14 day fieldtrip (10 days on the North Island of New Zealand and four days in Tasmania) examining both modern and ancient volcanic successions. On the New Zealand leg of the fieldtrip students learn about differences in the scale and structure of volcanoes and the processes and products of different eruption styles. In the relatively young, well preserved and beautifully exposed volcanic rocks of New Zealand, students learn to identify, describe and interpret volcanic facies and facies associations in volcanic rocks formed in both both subaerial and submarine environments. The characteristics of low-sulfidation epithermal deposits formed as a result of subaerial, syn-volcanic, hydrothermal activity are discussed and examined during a visit to the Waihi gold mine. Visit to the world-class geothermal fields and/or Waihi epithermal Au deposit. The second part of the unit - delivered in Tasmania - examines variably altered, deformed and metamorphosed Cambrian volcanic rocks of the highly mineralised Mount Read Volcanic Belt. Students learn skills and strategies to help "see through" the effects of later geological events, in order to decipher original volcanic textures and facies associations. These skills are used to classify and interpret the host-rocks and depositional settings to some of the world-class volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits of the Mount Read Volcanic Belt. These deposits were formed by syn-volcanic hydrothermal activity at or near the seafloor, approximately 500 million years ago. In addition to the 14-day field trip, there is a post-field trip assignment. The unit Volcanology and Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains may be taken as a either (i) a CORE OPTION unit (choice between KEA707, KEA708 and KEA718) at the Mastery 1 level, or (ii) an OPTION unit at Mastery 2 level of the Master or Economic Geology degree.

Summary

Unit name	Volcanology and Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains
Unit code	KEA708
Credit points	25
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences
Discipline	CODES ARC
Coordinator	Doctor Martin Jutzeler
Delivered By
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	21/2/2027	15/3/2027	18/4/2027	12/6/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe, name and classify volcanic rocks and volcano-sedimentary facies using appropriate descriptive conventions and non-genetic terminology
• Differentiate the various primary and alteration-related processes responsible for clastic textures in volcanic rocks
• Formulate or evaluate mineral exploration strategies based on a literature review or primary appraisal of the characteristics, facies associations, volcanic settings and alteration-related textural features of volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks
• Explain volcanic, volcano-sedimentary and associated mineralisation processes to an audience of industry or academic peers using appropriate volcanological terms and concepts.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	This unit is based around a 14 day fieldtrip to the North Island of New Zealand (10 days) and western Tasmania (4 days). Activities during the fieldtrip average ~12 hrs/day. The unit also involves pre- and post-fieldtrip assignments constituting ~75 hrs individual study completed over 4 week periods in the lead-up to, and following, the fieldtrip.
Assessment	AT2 Field based exercises Western Tasmania (20%)|AT1 Field based exercises New Zealand (40%)|AT3 Post-field trip report (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	McPhie, J., Doyle, M and Allen, R., 1993: Volcanic Textures. A guide to the interpretation of textures in volcanic rocks, CODES Key Centre, 196p. (A copy of this textbook is provided to all students enrolled in the unit)

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