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Advanced Igneous Petrology

Image of a pillow basalt formation glowing red.
Pillow basalts form when volcanic magma erupts into much cooler air/water and harden rapidly as they flow. (Image courtesy of USGS.)

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

12.490

As Taught In

Fall 2005

Level

Graduate

Cite This Course

Course Highlights

This course features lab exercises and a complete reading list.

Course Description

Advanced Igneous Petrology covers the history of and recent developments in the study of igneous rocks. Students review the chemistry and structure of igneous rock-forming minerals and proceed to study how these minerals occur and interact in igneous rocks. The course focuses on igneous processes and how we have learned about them through studying a number of significant sites worldwide.