Description including Unit Aims

The course aims at providing a solid foundation on the role played by magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal and geothermal processes on the metal endowment, evolution and preservation of base and critical mineral deposits in volcanic terranes, and specifically in the plutonic, sub-volcanic and volcanic environments.

The course will focus on:

1. distribution of mineral resources in different types of volcano-tectonic settings, such as greenstone belts, hot spots, convergent and divergent margins, with key references to modern analogues in recent volcanic terranes;
2. controls of magma evolution (i.e., Eh, geochemical affinity, differentiation and partial melting degrees, and crustal contamination) and metals enrichment;
3. behaviour of metals during subsolidus processes (autometasomatism and magmatic-hydrothermal transition) and during the development of supercritical and geothermal fluids;
4. analysis of mineralized samples, with theoretical principles and application of analytical techniques (SEM, EPMA, SWIR, bulk-rock assay) for the characterization and vectoring of mineralization in volcanic contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The student must demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the characteristics of mineralization in different igneous contexts and of the control exerted by magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal and geothermal processes on the metal cycle in plutonic, sub-volcanic and volcanic environments.

Furthermore, the student must be able to describe and document the main characteristics (mineralogy and alteration facies) observed in igneous mineralization at the macro- and microscale, and must be able to process and handle relevant datasets by means of specific datasets used during the laboratory activities.

Assessment Information

Oral exam. The exam will include an oral test complemented by the analysis and description of mineralized samples at the macro- to microscopic scales.

For Italian students, please see

For foreign students, please see Admission regulation with reference to second cycle degree programme (laurea magistrale – lm)

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