Metamorphic and magmatic rocks are the result of complex processes that occur in the Earth’s interior. During their path towards the Earth’s surface, metamorphic and magmatic rocks experience various pressure & temperature (P-T) conditions before finally cooling down at the Earth’s surface (e.g. Fig. 1).
Figure. 1. A simple thermokinematic model showing the temperature evolution of various metamorphic rocks during exhumation. (a): The temperature field after 3 Myr is indicated with black contours. The path of the rocks is highlighted with red color. The solid magenta line indicates the thrust surface in a ramp-flat geometry and the white dashed line indicates the surface of the Earth. (b) Thermal histories of various exhuming rocks. (c) P-T histories of various exhuming rocks.
In recent years, advances in analytical instrumentation and computing capabilities have enabled the quantification of geological processes using physics-based models of material behavior. In particular, the distribution of major and trace elements in geomaterials (e.g., minerals and fluids) can now be accurately predicted under a wide range of conditions. Similar models are available for the distribution of radiogenic elements in minerals (e.g. Fig. 2). Understanding the physical processes that govern element distributions in minerals allows us to quantitatively constrain the exhumation history of rocks.
Figure. 2. (a) Hypothetical cooling history of a rock sample. Note the high temperature “pulse” occurring 20 Myr before present (0). (b) Simulated 40Ar/39Ar ages for muscovite crystals of various grain size. The previous crystals experienced the thermal history shown in (a). Note the different apparent ages that correspond to different grain sizes.
Examples of such processes include the diffusion of trace and major elements in minerals (e.g. garnet, olivine etc; Fig. 3) and melts, as well as the diffusion of radiogenic elements in dated minerals (Fig. 2). Forward modeling of these processes enables the formulation of testable hypotheses about the geological history of rocks.
Figure 3. Simulated cooling history (a) and composition evolution (b) in garnet.
In this workshop, participants will learn to use existing models for diffusion in minerals through practical exercises focused on modeling the distribution of major and radiogenic elements. The workshop will be conducted in English and will use MATLAB/OCTAVE as the programming environment. No prior programming experience is required.
The workshop will be computer-based, and participants are expected to bring their own laptops capable of running MATLAB or OCTAVE.
Date and venue of the workshop
The workshop will be held from 6 to 9 October at the Institute of the Geological Sciences in Wrocław, Poland (Plac M. Borna 9).
Fee
There are no formal course fees. However, a fee of 100 PLN will be charged to cover the cost of refreshments and course materials. Once your participation is confirmed, you will receive further information regarding the payment process.
Please note that the number of places is limited, and participation will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration
To register for the workshop click on the following link:
Please submit your registration by September 5, 2025.
In case of any problems with registration form, please contact us at
Bank account number for the workshop fee:
92 1240 4559 1111 0000 5420 4162 (Pekao S.A.)
Polskie Towarzystwo Mineralogiczne
Al. Mickiewicza 30 (AGH)
30-059 Kraków
IBAN for foreign transfers is PL92 1240 4559 1111 0000 5420 4162
(Pekao S.A., SWIFT: PKOPPLPW)
Please provide the name and surname of the participant in the title of the bank transfer.
Organizers
The organizers of the Workshop are the University of Wrocław and the Petrological Group of the Polish Mineralogical Society.
Acknowledgments
The organizers would like to thank the German Research Foundation (DFG; #524829125) and the Polish National Science Centre (NCN; UMO-2022/47/I/ST10/02504) for funding the development of the methods presented in this workshop and the travel costs.
