Earth and Planetary Sciences 50. Planetary Materials and
Geochemistry
Catalog Number: 4726
Stein B. Jacobsen
Half course (spring term). M., W., F., at 11, plus three hours per week of
laboratory. EXAM GROUP: 4
An introduction to rocks and minerals — the materials of the solid Earth and
other solar system bodies. Fundamental principles of mineral structures, phase equilibrium,
and the processes of formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Construction
and interpretation of phase diagrams, models for melt generation and
crystallization, the metamorphic facies concept and thermal models of metamorphism.
The relationship between rock-forming processes and plate tectonic setting.
Laboratory emphasizes sample identification, optical mineralogy, x-ray
diffraction, and electron microprobe methods.
Prerequisite: One basic earth science course (e.g., EPS 7 or Science
A-24), and Chemistry 5 or Chemistry 10 (may be taken concurrently).
[Earth and Planetary Sciences 140. Geochemical Thermodynamics]
Catalog Number: 1960
Stein B. Jacobsen
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 8:30–10. EXAM GROUP: 10, 11
An introduction to the application of equilibrium thermodynamics to problems in
earth and planetary sciences. The laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic
functions. Conditions for thermodynamic equalibrium and spontaneous
transformations. Systems of variable chemical composition. Partial molar
quantities. Selection of components and the Gibbs phase rule. Chemography and
petrogenetic grids. Conditions for heterogeneous and homogeneous equilibrium.
Equilibrium constants. Fugacities and activities. Entropy of mixing in ideal
solid solutions. Calculation of binary and ternary phase diagrams. Conditions
for stability. Excess functions. Mixed volatile equilibria. Thermodynamics of aqueous
solutions. Examples and problems drawn primarily from igneous and metamorphic
petrology and geochemistry.
Note: Expected to be given in 2001–02. Given in alternate years.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 10 or equivalent; Mathematics 21a (may be taken
concurrently).
Earth and Planetary Sciences 141. Isotope and Trace Element
Geochemistry and Geochronology
Catalog Number: 7724
Stein B. Jacobsen
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
An introduction to the application of isotope geochemistry to the problems in
earth and planetary sciences. The element and isotope distribution in the Earth
and the Solar System. Closed system radioactive decay, Isotope fractionation,
Mass balance, mixing and dilution. Radiogenic isotopes. Application of Rb-Sr,
Sm-Nd, U-Th-Pb, Re-Os and K-Ar isotope systems for geochronology and as tracers
for geological processes. Noble gas geochemistry. Extinct nuclides. Cosmogenic
nuclides. U-series nuclides and their application to Quaternary chronology.
Planetary isotopic evolution. Stable isotope geochemistry. Application of H, C,
N, O and S isotopes as tracers of geochemical and biogeochemical processes.
Note: Given in alternate years.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 10 or equivalent; EPS 6 or 7 or equivalent
(recommended).
Earth and Planetary Sciences 240. Geochemical Kinetics
Catalog Number: 0187
Stein B. Jacobsen
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Irreversible thermodynamics, heat flow and diffusion equations and K-U-Th
geochemistry. Mass transfer between reservoirs; mantle and crustal evolution,
geochemical cycles, determination of temperature-time-pressure histories of
rocks from radiogenic isotope systems, geothermometers and geobarometers.
Geochemical studies of hydrothermal systems, metasomatism, and diagenesis.
Note: Applied Mathematics 105a,b are recommended. Given in alternate
years.
Prerequisite: EPS 140, Mathematics 21a,b.
[Earth and Planetary Sciences 241. Isotope and Trace Element
Geochemistry]
Catalog Number: 1680
Stein B. Jacobsen
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Cosmic abundances, meteorites, bulk composition of the Earth’s crust and
mantle, geochemical cycles, residence times, element partition rules, mixing
processes, stable isotopes, radiogenic isotopes, critical evaluation of
experimental data. Application of mass spectrometry for the determination of
isotope and trace element variations.
Note: Expected to be given in 2001–02. Given in alternate years.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 21a,b, and EPS 140.
*Earth and Planetary Sciences 340.
Topics in Isotope Geochemistry: Research Seminar
Catalog Number: 2881
Stein B. Jacobsen 7212
*Earth and Planetary Sciences 341.
Isotope Geochemistry
Catalog Number: 7103
Stein B. Jacobsen 7212