12.490 | Fall 2005 | Graduate

Advanced Igneous Petrology

Study Materials

“Classic” Petrologic Localities

The following list consists of selected “classic” petrologic localities. These localities are noteworthy because someone has chosen to do detailed petrologic/geochemical work there and because this work has had an important influence on petrology. You are expected to become familiar with these localities. The process of familiarization should include the following for each locality:

  1. Geographic location and areal extent.
  2. Geologic setting, age and relation to tectonic features.
  3. Dominant rock type(s) and range of rock types present.
  4. Distinctive structural, mineralogical and/or chemical features of the igneous rocks.
  5. Historical context, role in evolution of thought, authors of the important papers and major conclusions.

You should also think out for yourself the petrologic significance of each locality. For the older and more classic localities, you will be able to find summary descriptions in Carmichael, Turner and Verhoogen (1974), and even Bowen (1928) or Daly (1933) (see readings). For these localities, secondary references will be sufficient and you don’t have to read the treatises that were originally published. For other cases, you will want to refer to original work.

Selected “Classic” Petrologic Localities

  • Inner Hebrides, Scotland (Mull, Arndnamurchan, Arran, Rhum, Skye)
  • Donegal, Ireland
  • Whin Sill, UK
  • Lugar Sill
  • Thingmuli, Iceland
  • Skaergaard Intrusion, East Greenland
  • FAMOUS Area, MAR
  • Kane Fracture Zone, MAR
  • Cayman Trough
  • Kolbeinsky Rise
  • St. Paul’s Rocks
  • Parana Province
  • Ascension and St. Helena Islands
  • Gough Island
  • Nain, Labrador
  • Munro Township, Ontario
  • Bay of Islands, Newfoundland
  • Ossippee Mountains, New Hampshire
  • Red Hill, New Hampshire
  • Mt. Ascutney, Vt.
  • Adirondack Mountains, New York
  • Palisades, New Jersey
  • Cortlandt, New York
  • Subdury, Ontario
  • Magnet Cove, Arkansas
  • Spanish Peaks, Colorado
  • Iron Hill, Colorado
  • San Juan Mountains, Colorado
  • Leucite Hills, Wyoming
  • Boulder Batholith, Montana
  • Stillwater Complex, Montana
  • Highwood Mountains, Utah
  • Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
  • Nevada Test Site
  • Sierra Nevada, California
  • Long Valley, California
  • Yellowstone Park
  • Crater Lake, Oregon
  • Southern Cascades, CA
  • Columbia River Province
  • Snake River Plain, Idaho
  • Coast Ranges, British Columbia
  • Muskox Intrusion
  • Duke Island, Alaska
  • Mt. Katmai, Alaska
  • Kilauea, Hawaii
  • Mauna Loa, Hawaii
  • Fuji - Hakone Volcanoes, Japan
  • Krakatoa, Indonesia
  • Pinatubo, Phillipines
  • Bonin Islands
  • Izu - Mariana Arc
  • Taupo, New Zealand
  • Deccan Traps, India
  • Madras, India
  • Troodos Massif, Cyprus
  • Vourinos Complex, Greece
  • Mt. Vesuvius, Italy
  • Platta Ophiolite, Switzerland
  • Southwestern Finland
  • Fen District, Norway
  • Kola Peninsula
  • Udachnaya
  • Oman Ophiolite
  • East African Rift Valley
  • Oldinyo Lengai, Tanzania
  • Kimberley
  • Barberton Mountainland, South Africa
  • Karoo Dolerites, South Africa
  • Bushveld Complex
  • Great Dyke, Zimbabwe
  • Taurus Littrow
  • Hadley Rille
  • Descartes Highland
  • Mare Tranquilitatus