12.480 | Fall 2006 | Graduate

Thermodynamics for Geoscientists

Course Description

In this course, principles of thermodynamics are used to infer the physical conditions of formation and modification of igneous and metamorphic rocks. The course includes phase equilibria of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems and thermodynamic modeling of non-ideal crystalline solutions. It also surveys the …
In this course, principles of thermodynamics are used to infer the physical conditions of formation and modification of igneous and metamorphic rocks. The course includes phase equilibria of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems and thermodynamic modeling of non-ideal crystalline solutions. It also surveys the processes that lead to the formation of metamorphic and igneous rocks in the major tectonic environments in the Earth’s crust and mantle.
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Lecture Notes
Liquidus diagram for the system forsterite-diopside anorthite.
Liquidus diagram for the system forsterite-diopside anorthite. Primary phase boundaries are shown for pressures of 0.1 and 700 MPa. (Image by Prof. Timothy Grove.)