Microestruturas: do microscópio à cadeia orogénica. Prática com base em ferramentas digitais

Abstract

The microscopic observation of rocks and minerals has evolved to progressively move from the description of microstructures towards its quantification. Naturally, in this process, the use of personal computers and their connection to optical or electronic microscopes played a key role. This course is divided into four parts that address the theme of microstructures, with particular attention to those formed in a brittle context. Theoretical aspects linked to their genesis and evolution will be dealt. The quantitative approach using microcomputers will be practiced in a real case context with the use of open source software. The first module deals with the theoretical framework that allows the understanding of the genesis of microstructures, with particular emphasis on the brittle ones, presenting the role played by physicochemical factors. In the second module, the aspects of fracturing will be discussed, namely the different types of microfractures and their implications in the various geological scales. The third module of the course will address the role of fluids, in a chemical and thermodynamic point of view, and from the perspective of its influence on the existing forces. A fourth module will present some of the applications of this type of studies in economic geology and geodynamics. The practical module will be based on the use of computer free software tools for the characterization of microstructures quantitative analysis of the networks of fractures and the movement of fluids in the crust.