Masovian erratics 1300-TMAER
Given the limited amount of time a regular student spends with crystalline rocks during their early stages of geological education, this tutorial explores and enhances in a practical way the hitherto acquired knowledge and skills in mineralogy and petrology of magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The large number of available Scandinavian erratic boulders in Warsaw and in the surrounding Masovian region makes them perfect objects to pursue the presented goal outline. The student’s individual task will focus on a single boulder, either recommended by the tutor or selected by the student and accepted by the tutor. The student’s work will be monitored and consulted by the tutor on a regular basis. The main objective of the task will follow a mineralogical and petrological routine including:
- field work: detailed inspection of the boulder, hand-made sketches and field notes, photographic record (general view, details, interesting structures, etc.), sampling of the rock for further study (provided the object is not legally protected); important notice: the tutorial schedule does not include the trip time to and from the object;
- preparation of the sampled material for further study: cutting the rock plate for thin section, grinding and powdering for X-ray diffraction, polishing the rock slab;
- petrographic study under stereoscopic and polarizing microscope of the thin section and rock slab (with image recording);
- instrumental analysis (method selection will depend each time on the type and condition of the sampled material): phase identification by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (textural study, back-scattered electron imaging, EDS spectra of minerals, elemental mapping, etc.);
- interpretation of the results: indexing X-ray diffraction patterns, image analysis (modal analysis, grain maps, etc.), identification of minerals and recognition of mineral parageneses, primary and secondary processes discernible in the studied rock.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
During the tutorial the student:
- enhances ability of working with natural (geological) objects including: observation capability, perceptivity, critical evaluation of quality and overall condition of stone, assessment of visual, esthetic and popular science values of nature derived objects (recognition of objects eligible to legal protection);
- increases and widens expertise in handling crystalline rocks, e.g. macroscopic identification of minerals, textures and structures, recognition of geological processes (magmatic, post-magmatic, metamorphic, tectonic in micro- and mesoscale, glacial erosion, condition of stony objects), representative sampling of a rock for instrumental study with due precautions for saving the esthetic advantages of the sampled object;
- develops skill in preparing a field report (informative and coherent field notes, descriptions, sketches, photographic documentation of geological objects);
- develops preparation skills of sampled rocks for further instrumental study;
- knows how to carry out modal analysis of a thin section;
- critically evaluates the analytical data;
- makes use of available on-line sources and literature references for comparative purposes;
- develops and increases skills in preparing multimedia presentation reporting field and instrumental study, for both professional and popular science purposes;
- expands unassisted planning and carrying out routine stages of laboratory work with rocks, blends resourcefulness and creativity with direction and fixed guidelines;
- follows a scheduled work pace and through completing the tutorial develops planning, time management, deadline making and positively verifies his or her dedication and motivation.
Assessment criteria
Obtaining a course credit requires participation in all tutorials, each time documented by the tutor in form of individual tutorial record sheets. The course is credited based on the preparation of a detailed written report comprising the effects of student’s individual work at each stage of the project. The report will include:
1) macroscopic description of the boulder accompanied by photographic documentation, sketches and dimensions;
2) identified minerals and mineral parageneses;
3) recognized primary and secondary processes noticeable in the rock;
4) petrographic description of the rock based on microscopic study;
5) an outline of the rock genesis and recognized geologic processes;
6) comparison of the studied boulder with the Scandinavian crystalline rocks and indicator erratics (based on literature study);
7) evaluation of the object with respect to its popular science and teaching potential, and its eligibility to legal protection.
Each student is obliged to present a short summative talk (multimedia presentation) during a joint session of all tutees and their tutors, scheduled for the end of the academic year (June), in which the course takes place.
Practical placement
not applicable
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: