Field-based intensive short course presented on the North Island of New Zealand (8 days) and western Tasmania (5 days). Offered in even-years.
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 | Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences |
| Coordinator | Doctor Martin Jutzeler |
| Delivered By | |
| Level | Postgraduate |
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
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| not applicable |
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
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) |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.