Experimental and Computational Modeling in Petrology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
This course provides an advanced introduction to experimental petrology as a quantitative tool to investigate deep Earth processes, from mantle melting to subduction and fluid/melt-rock interaction.
The course is research-oriented and strongly practice-driven. Students will engage with real experimental strategies used in modern petrology, learning how to design, run, and interpret experiments that reproduce geological processes under controlled pressure-temperature conditions.
A significant component of the course is laboratory-based. Depending on the number of enrolled students, a large fraction of the teaching will take place in the Experimental Petrology Laboratory of the Department of Earth Sciences, where students will directly interact with experimental setups (e.g., furnaces, pressure vessels, piston-cylinder systems), sample preparation workflows, and analytical procedures.
The course is research-oriented and strongly practice-driven. Students will engage with real experimental strategies used in modern petrology, learning how to design, run, and interpret experiments that reproduce geological processes under controlled pressure-temperature conditions.
A significant component of the course is laboratory-based. Depending on the number of enrolled students, a large fraction of the teaching will take place in the Experimental Petrology Laboratory of the Department of Earth Sciences, where students will directly interact with experimental setups (e.g., furnaces, pressure vessels, piston-cylinder systems), sample preparation workflows, and analytical procedures.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Design a petrological experiment addressing a geological question
Select appropriate P-T-X conditions, starting materials, and redox buffers
Understand the strengths and limitations of different experimental techniques
Interpret experimental results in terms of phase equilibria, reaction mechanisms, and kinetics
Critically assess experimental data from the literature
Integrate experimental constraints with natural systems and thermodynamic modelling
Design a petrological experiment addressing a geological question
Select appropriate P-T-X conditions, starting materials, and redox buffers
Understand the strengths and limitations of different experimental techniques
Interpret experimental results in terms of phase equilibria, reaction mechanisms, and kinetics
Critically assess experimental data from the literature
Integrate experimental constraints with natural systems and thermodynamic modelling
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Course objective:
The aim of the course is to provide the methodological foundations and analytical tools needed to quantitatively address processes involving crystalline materials, both natural and synthetic, starting from the basic principles of petrology. The course covers a series of topics focused on crystalline rocks, with particular emphasis on magmatic and metamorphic environments, as well as experimental petrology.
Principles of phase petrology:
I) Compositional space: Cartesian and barycentric coordinates, selection of components, units of compositional space (mass, atoms, oxygen, cations, and oxides), conservative and non-conservative units. Transformation of components and main applications: projections in AFM diagrams; calculation of the composition of solid solution minerals based on end members; reaction stoichiometry.
II) Phase diagrams and phase equilibria: Lever rule, phase rule, binary and ternary diagrams (complete miscibility, partial miscibility, complete immiscibility, solvus, eutectic, peritectic, and intermediate compounds); thermodynamics of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, thermodynamic properties of solid solutions, Gibbs stability criterion and Gibbs free energy, G-X, T-X, P-T-X diagrams, sections, and projections.
The metamorphic process:
Thermodynamic modeling of phase equilibria, P-T-X relationships, use of thermodynamic software and databases; applications to geothermobarometry. Study of symplectites. Case studies.
The magmatic process:
This part of the course focuses on the petrology of the Earth's mantle and its derived melts. In particular, it aims to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of petrological processes occurring in the mantle during partial melting and melt ascent in mid-ocean ridge and hotspot settings. Special attention is given to how the chemical and isotopic composition of basalts produced in these geodynamic contexts can provide insights into the composition of the mantle source.
Practical sessions:
Experimental petrology: preparation of an experiment and textural and compositional characterization of experimental products;
Thermodynamic modeling: construction of phase diagrams under subsolidus and supersolidus conditions.
Fieldwork: excursions to sites of particular petrological interest are also planned.
The aim of the course is to provide the methodological foundations and analytical tools needed to quantitatively address processes involving crystalline materials, both natural and synthetic, starting from the basic principles of petrology. The course covers a series of topics focused on crystalline rocks, with particular emphasis on magmatic and metamorphic environments, as well as experimental petrology.
Principles of phase petrology:
I) Compositional space: Cartesian and barycentric coordinates, selection of components, units of compositional space (mass, atoms, oxygen, cations, and oxides), conservative and non-conservative units. Transformation of components and main applications: projections in AFM diagrams; calculation of the composition of solid solution minerals based on end members; reaction stoichiometry.
II) Phase diagrams and phase equilibria: Lever rule, phase rule, binary and ternary diagrams (complete miscibility, partial miscibility, complete immiscibility, solvus, eutectic, peritectic, and intermediate compounds); thermodynamics of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, thermodynamic properties of solid solutions, Gibbs stability criterion and Gibbs free energy, G-X, T-X, P-T-X diagrams, sections, and projections.
The metamorphic process:
Thermodynamic modeling of phase equilibria, P-T-X relationships, use of thermodynamic software and databases; applications to geothermobarometry. Study of symplectites. Case studies.
The magmatic process:
This part of the course focuses on the petrology of the Earth's mantle and its derived melts. In particular, it aims to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of petrological processes occurring in the mantle during partial melting and melt ascent in mid-ocean ridge and hotspot settings. Special attention is given to how the chemical and isotopic composition of basalts produced in these geodynamic contexts can provide insights into the composition of the mantle source.
Practical sessions:
Experimental petrology: preparation of an experiment and textural and compositional characterization of experimental products;
Thermodynamic modeling: construction of phase diagrams under subsolidus and supersolidus conditions.
Fieldwork: excursions to sites of particular petrological interest are also planned.
Prerequisites for admission
Earth and planetary materials: from nature to experiments
Teaching methods
Attendance is strongly recommended. Course language is English
Teaching method:
4 CFU (32 hours) of lectures
1 CFU (12 hours) of practical exercises
1 CFU (12 hours) of fieldwork activities
Teaching method:
4 CFU (32 hours) of lectures
1 CFU (12 hours) of practical exercises
1 CFU (12 hours) of fieldwork activities
Teaching Resources
Teaching materials will be available on the lecturer's MyAriel homepage or in the official Teams classroom.
Suggested books:
Winter J.D. "Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology", Pearson
Spear F.S. "Metmorphic phase equilibria and pressure-temperature-time paths", MSA monograph
Holloway, J.R. & Wood, B.J. "Simulating the Earth Experimental Geochemistry", Unwin Hyman, 1988
Bucher, K. & Grapes, R. "Petrogenesis of Metamorphic Rocks", Springer
Suggested books:
Winter J.D. "Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology", Pearson
Spear F.S. "Metmorphic phase equilibria and pressure-temperature-time paths", MSA monograph
Holloway, J.R. & Wood, B.J. "Simulating the Earth Experimental Geochemistry", Unwin Hyman, 1988
Bucher, K. & Grapes, R. "Petrogenesis of Metamorphic Rocks", Springer
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test in which students will briefly present topics covered during the course, with a particular focus on the petrology of natural systems.
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY - University credits: 6
Field activity: 12 hours
Exercises: 12 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Exercises: 12 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Borghini Giulio, Tumiati Simone
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday at 10-11 am
via Botticelli 23, second floor