SUBJECT

Title

Magmatism in extensional basins

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

master

Part of degree program
Credits

2

Recommended in

Semester 2

Typically offered in

Spring semester

Course description

The main goal of this course is to give an understanding on the magmatic response to extension of the continental lithosphere. The students will learn the reason of melt generation and its relationship with various parameters such as lithospheric thickness, stretching factor, mantle potential temperature and source lithology as well as the style of extension (pure shear vs. simple shear). Interpretation of geochemical variation of magmas will be discussed in the context of basin evolution. Discussion on influence of mantle plumes will be also given.

The course starts with a brief summary on the major and trace element geochemistry and isotope geochemistry of igneous rocks, particularly of various basalts. Discussion on the reason of melt generation: decompression melting, flux melting, dehydration melting, the role of upwelling plumes. What controls the composition of basalts: the role of source region, degree of melting, lithospheric thickness, active or passive rifting. How much melt will be generated: the role of stretching factor, mantle potential temperature and the mode of extension. Introduction to the quantitative geochemical modeling. The role of mantle heterogeneity: overview of chemical geodynamics. Case studies will be discussed from the Carpathian-Pannonian Region and from other regions of the Mediterranean and Circum-Mediterranean areas.

Readings
  • Downloadable course materails (http://petrology.geology.elte.hu/)
  • Shaw, D.: Trace elements in igneous rocks. Cambridge University Press, 2006
  • H.R. Rollinson (1993): Using geochemical data: evaluation, presentation, interpretation. Longman, 352 pp.
  • L. Beccaluva, G. Bianchini, M. Wilson (eds. 2007): Cenozoic volcanism in the Mediterranean area, Geological Society of America Special Papers 418
  • Selected publications