SYLLABUS
GEOL 5100
Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Duluth Complex and Related Rocks
Text: Geology and Mineral Potential of the Duluth Complex and Related Rocks of Northeastern
Minnesota by Miller, Green, Severson, Chandler, Hauck, Peterson, and Wahl, 2002,
Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58. The report with CDROM of the geologic map (M-119) and related data can be purchased for $20 or can be
downloaded free of charge from the MGS website (www.geo.umn.edu/mgs/).
Time: 1:00 PM Thursdays, Rm 118. Except for two Tuesdays (in bold red) at the same hour
Approach: This one hour per week class will be conducted in a seminar format that will focus on
various aspects of the Duluth Complex covered in the text. Participants are expected to have
read the assignment for the upcoming session and come prepared to discuss and ask
questions about various aspects of the topic. About half of the hour will devoted to an
overview lecture of the current topic and the other half will be devoted to discussion and
questions. Students will be expected to take the lead on one of the lectures on a mutually
agreeable topic (see suggestions for Greg and Joy below).
Grading: S/M grading will be used. No final exam will be given. .
Field trip: A one-day field trip on the Duluth Complex in the Duluth area will be conducted some
time later in the semester on a date that is mutually agreeable and weather-friendly.
Date
Topic
Reading Assignment
1/24
History of geologic mapping in the Duluth Complex
Chap. 2, p. 21-35
1/31
Archean and Paleoproterozoic footwall rocks
Chap. 4, p. 76-89
2/4
Tectonomagmatic evolution of the Midcontinent Rift
Chap. 6, p. 103-106
2/11
Terminology, nomenclature, and classification of
Keweenawan igneous rocks
Chap. 1, p. 5-18
2/20
Geology of the North Shore Volcanic Group
Chap. 5, p. 94-102
2/27
Geophysical characteristics of the Duluth Complex
Chap. 3, p. 52-71
3/6
General geology of the Duluth Complex
Chap. 6, p. 106-119
3/13
Layered Series at Duluth
Chap. 6, p.119-121
3/20
Spring Break - No Class
3/27
South Kawishiwi, Partridge River,
and Bald Eagle intrusions
Chap. 6, p. 125-139
4/3
Wilder Lake (Joy) and Greenwood Lake intrusions
Chap. 6, p. 134-135
4/10
General geology of the Beaver Bay Complex
Chap. 7, p. 144-154
4/17
Break – no class
4/24
Sonju Lake Intrusion (Greg)
Chap. 7, p. 151
5/1
Cu-Ni-PGE sulfide mineralization of the basal contact
Chap. 8, p. 164-173
5/6
Stratiform and stratabound PGE mineralization
Chap. 8, p. 174-185