NGEA09010U Core to Crust: Earth´s Evolution and Processes (1+2)

Knowledge:

• Geochemical evolution of Earth
• geochemistry and mineralogy of Earth components (core, mantle, crust)
• high temperature geochemical processes, high pressure and temperature mineralogy
• isotopic tracers
• geochemistry of meteorites and their relationship to the origin and evolution of the Earth, solar system, and universe; planetary sciences and cosmochemistry
• origin and distribution of the elements, minerals and rocks
• geochemical cycles in the crust and mantle, and application of thermodynamic and kinetic principles to geochemical processes

Skills:

• Demonstration of an understanding of the processes that led to the Earth’s formation and its prime differentiation
• Description of the general characteristics of the different geochemical reservoirs within the Earth, the interplays between them
• Knowledge of the chemical and mineralogical variations within the different Earth’s geochemical reservoirs in terms of geochemical processes linked to modern plate tectonic theory, lithospheric recycling and geodynamics, and to thermodynamic and crystallographic principles

Competences:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• recite the milestones in Earth’s early evolution and to understand the processes that led to the Earth’s formation and its prime differentiation and the chronology of these events
• be familiar with the on-going and past processes that have led to the structure of the Earth’s crust-mantle-core system
• describe the general characteristics of the different geochemical reservoirs within the Earth, the interplays between them, and explain these within the framework of the evolution of the planet
• explain chemical and mineralogical variations within the different Earth’s geochemical reservoirs in terms of geochemical processes linked to modern plate tectonic theory, lithospheric recycling and geodynamics, and to thermodynamic and crystallographic principles.