Metamorphic processes have reshaped the crust since the formation of planet Earth. Metamorphism, involving essentially reactions in the solid state, takes place where rocks are subjected to temperature and pressure conditions different from those where they originally formed. New minerals form by chemical reactions, often in the presence of metamorphic fluids and during deformation. The rocks and their physical properties are commonly significantly changed. The rocks normally obtain entirely new mineral assemblages and textures, but depending on the conditions the change may vary from subtle to complete. Most of the crust in Scandinavia (and on Earth) is made up of metamorphic bedrock.

Studies of metamorphic rocks and deformation structures enable us to understand the build-up of the bedrock, its dynamic history and the processes that take place within the crust. Metamorphic petrology and structural geology are important disciplines in applied geology since metamorphism and deformation govern both the properties and the localization of various rocks.

This course focuses on metamorphic petrology, and is directed towards students who have previous training in basic mineralogy (mineral chemistry and petrographic microscopy), petrology, structural geology, and geochronology. During the course, we use different methods to investigate mineral assemblages, textures and structures in metamorphic rocks of different compositions. We work in micro- to mega scale in the study of the metamorphic build-up of mountain chains and other geological environments. The course comprises lectures, microscopy labs, article seminars and a study visit/excursion.