Geothermodynamics

How does Earth work? Our modern understanding of processes in the Earth’s mantle and the crust results a great deal from the application of thermodynamics. Rocks are equilibrium systems and are filled with information. This is coded information. Chemical equilibrium thermodynamics enables us to unravel it and to translate it into quantitative data on pressures and temperatures of rock formation and on its chemical conditions. Thermodynamics is, thus, a most important tool for geologists, especially for mineralogists, geochemists and petrologists. Course offered by Department of Geoscience

Course leader

Hans Dieter Zimmermann, Aarhus University

Target group

Masters's and PhD students

Course aim

After completion of the course the student is expected to be able to

- explain fundamental termodynamic notions and to define them mathematically
- use databases of thermochemical data
- formulate equilibria in metamorphic, magmatic and sedimentary systems
- apply thermodynamic calculations (e.g for the determination of melt-mineral equilibrium conditions, for geobaro-/geotermometric reconstructions of P-T conditions)
- compute simple binary phase diagrams
- apply Schreinemakers’ phase theory
- apply geothermo-/ geobarometry programmes (f.eks.DOMINO-THERIAK by C. de Capitani)

Fee info

EUR 0: Students on a bilateral exchange programme do not have to pay. Freemovers are obliged to pay participation fees while tuition fees only apply to freemovers from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland.