Our objective during the last section of the class is to exercise our petrology muscles, by gaining some hands-on knowledge of a specific petrologic topic, and by presenting the results of our research to an audience.

Topic Selection: Working in teams of one or two, select an igneous or metamorphic site or suite of samples that is of particular interest to you. There are a number of sample suites available in the department from previous field trips. Those of you going on a spring break trip may be able to collect samples that could be used for a project, but remember, it will take time to make thin sections, so you'll have to work quickly to prepare your project. You may also carry out a mathematical or geochemical modeling project based on literature data. All topics must be approved.

Titles Due: Term project titles should be turned in to me by Wednesday, Mar 9.

Research: Investigate your samples thoroughly by observing hand samples and thin sections. SEM microchemical analysis is available in the NDSU Electron Microscopy Center, and XRD facilities are available in the NDSU Research 2 building. Many other analytical instruments are available across campus - inquire with me for details. Thorough analysis of data from the geologic literature on your sample area should be included as part of your project. You are encouraged to use diverse source materials, including maps, state and federal reports, journals and books to provide background information for your project. You are encouraged to communicate with scientists who are experts on your area. Your project should include significant content based on your personal efforts – be creative!

Class Presentation: For your 15 minute presentation to class, describe what motivated you to study the chosen topic, the geologic background of your samples, and a summary of the results of your research, with diagrams or pertinent data. Bring sufficient copies of a one-page double-sided summary to class. Include a "references cited" section that lists those materials that you actually used in the preparation of your report.

Presentation Dates: Presentations will be made on April 28 and May 3.

Course Points: 20% of grade

Petrology Home Petrology Course Resources A Few Petrology Links Lecture and Lab Syllabus Student Projects 2022

Topics and Schedule April 28 Andrew Fish and Ben Schirrick Title: A Dive into Sonju Lake Our project focuses on the rocks of the Sonju Lake Intrusion, part of the Beaver Bay Complex in northeastern Minnesota. We selected four samples from the intrusion and have used both standard petrography and scanning electron microscopy to analyze the mineral and chemical composition of each sample. The ultimate goal was to examine how the chemistry of olivine and plagioclase change as the minerals rise in position throughout the stratigraphy of the intrusion. Carl Ludewig Title: Saganaga Tonalite - or Not? This project investigated a sample of rock that was taken near the Gunflint Trail in North Eastern Minnesota close to the Canadian border during a geology field trip to the north shore. At first glance this rock looks to have unique characteristics of but is found within the Saganaga Tonalite providence. Using both point counting and XRD methods I was able to determine the percentages of minerals within this sample and see if this rock was indeed a Tonalite or some other type of granitoid and the presence of potassium feldspars. Tyler Erickson Title: Petrography and Analysis of Granitic Rocks of the Idaho Batholith, Boise county, ID XRD and petrographic microscopy methods were done on a collection of rocks from the Idaho Batholith in Boise County, Idaho. The research done on these samples is used to be compared with samples of similar origin. Using other literature to gain relevant information on the content of the batholith, the comparisons and distinctions of each rocks are recorded. Hanna Reed Title: The Palisade Rhyolite May 3 Emily Jackson and Mary Bailey Title: Analysis of Hawaiian Basalts: Hot Spot Topic Amelia Swanson Title: Geothermometry of Black Hills Garnet Schist Bethany Janssen Title: The Green in Greenstone This project shows the geochemical make-up of the Ely Greenstone from Northeastern Minnesota through methods of X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscope. In order to effectively determine the geochemical data, the study separates the base Greenstone and an Epidote/Silicate vein to find out what makes Greenstones Green. Cristian Pereira Title: The Panulcillo Skarn, Chile NDSU Home | Geosciences Home | Petrology Home Page | Mineralogy Home Page | B. Saini-Eidukat Petrology Geology 422/622