Fluids play a central role in the internal and external evolution of many solid bodies of the Solar System. They interact with planetary rocks and ices in terms of composition (magmatism, metamorphism, metasomatism, hydrothermalism, weathering) and shape (deformation, erosion, sedimentation).

The third GeoPlanet thematic school (23 Sep - 1 Oct 2019) was a traveling field excursion in the French and Spanish Pyrénées. It focused on observations and discussions of particularly spectacular and instructive examples of fluid-rock interactions, with emphasis on their relevance as terrestrial analogues for planetary studies.

The field trip was led by researchers from the Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique (Nantes, France) and the Centro de Astrobiología (Madrid, Spain). 33 students and young researchers in earth and planetary science from Europe, America, Asia and Africa attended the school (9 Master students from Université de Nantes, 16 Master/PhD/postdocs from the GeoPlaNet consortium, 8 PhD/postdocs from other institutions in various countries).

Attendees involved in the geological interpretation of data acquired by planetary exploration instruments gained field experience and knowledge on the processes, products and observable geological signatures of a wide range of fluid-rock interactions:

- partial melting and magma-rock interactions in planetary mantles and crusts (Étang de Lers, France; Vignemale, France);
- thermal metasomatism of continental rocks (Col d'Agnes, France);
- hydrothermal weathering of continental rocks (Trimouns talc carry, France);
- mineral dissolution and précipitation in fluids (Lombrives karst system, France; Estanya evaporite deposits, Spain);
- fluvial erosion and sedimentation (Roda de Isabena, Spain);
- glacial erosion and sedimentation (Vallée de Gaube, France);
- aeolian sedimentation (Dune du Pilat, France).

The field school was organised by Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique (CNRS, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers) in collaboration with its GeoPlaNet partners. It was part of the GeoPlaNet project funded by Région Pays de la Loire, Université de Nantes, CNRS, Programme National de Planétologie (CNRS-INSU) and Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers Nantes-Atlantique.

Processes: Magmatism, Metamorphism, Metasomatism, Hydrothermalism, Weathering, Deformation, Erosion, Sedimentation

Disciplines: Mineralogy, Petrology, Structural Geology, Sedimentology, Geomorphology, Pedology, Hydrogeology

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Program: download the field booklet