McGill.CA / Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Kim Berlo

Associate Professor

Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences
3450 University St.
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3A 0E8

Email: kim.berlo [at] mcgill.ca

Tel: 514.398.5884

 

Courses

EPSC 212. Introductory Petrology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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Description

A survey of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and the processes responsible for their formation. The laboratory will emphasize the recognition of rocks in both hand-specimen and thin section using optical microscopes.
  • Winter
  • 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
  • Prerequisite: EPSC 210

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EPSC 423. Igneous Petrology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
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Description

Physical properties, nucleation, crystallization, differentiation and emplacement of magmas. Integrated studies on various rock suites.
  • Fall
  • 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
  • Prerequisites: EPSC 212, and enrolment in U2 or U3 EPS program.

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Research

Magma degassing is a key driving force in volcanic eruptions. How, and how fast, volatiles exsolve and escape during magma ascent is a crucial factor determining whether and how magma erupts at the surface. I study volcanic rocks and gases through observation in natural samples and experiments to find out more about the nature and timescales of magma degassing.

Selected Publications

Berlo, K., Tuffen, H., Smith, V., Castro, J.M., Pyle, D.M., Mather, T.A., Geraki, K., (2013). Element variations in rhyolitic magma resulting from gas transport. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 121, 436-451.

Parks, M.M., Caliro, S., Chiodini, G., Pyle, D.M., Mather, T.A., Berlo, K., Edmonds, M., Biggs, J., Nomikou, P., Raptakis, C., (2013). Distinguishing contributions to diffuse CO2 emissions in volcanic areas from magmatic degassing and thermal decarbonation using soil gas 222Rn–δ13C systematics: Application to Santorini volcano, Greece. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 377-378, 180-190.

Berlo, K., Turner, S. (2010) 210Pb-226Ra disequilibria in volcanic rocks. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 296, 155-164.

 

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