Title of Submission
Improving the Accuracy of Barometric Methods Used for Metamorphic Rocks with Raman Microspectroscopy
Degree Program
Geosciences, MS
Major Advisor Name
Matthew Kohn
Type of Submission
Scholarly Poster
Abstract
Constraining pressure-temperature (P-T) histories of rocks is important for understanding tectonics. Most P-T path calculations invert mineral chemistry using equilibrium thermodynamic models. Recent studies questioned whether metamorphic minerals attain equilibrium. If so, many published P-T paths are wrong. An alternative approach for determining pressure evolution is via elastic thermobarometry of quartz inclusions in garnet. This approach relies on physical properties of minerals rather than the chemical evolution of rocks. I hypothesize that pressure changes calculated for rocks using chemically- and physically-based methods return indistinguishable results. I will verify my hypothesis using rocks from locations with previously published chemically-based P-T paths.