Undergraduate Course: Global Tectonics and the Rock Cycle (EASC08020)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Earth Science |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Plate tectonic processes play an important role in the distribution of rock types on the surface of the Earth. This course analyses the physical processes responsible for the formation and destruction of tectonic plates. It considers the principle tectonic components of the Earth such as mid-ocean ridges, subduction zones and mountain ranges, and develops an understanding of the specific rock types formed in these
environments. Practicals will develop concepts from the lectures. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | To enter this course in 2014, you will have to have a pass in Earth
Dynamics or an approved exemption based on equivalent previous studies.
such as a good grade in Geology A-level. |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students will be expected to have introductory knowledge of geology including plate tectonics and the main rock types. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
13/01/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
152 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. An understanding of modern tectonic theory and plate tectonic processes;
2. Knowledge required to explain major features of current and past tectonic activity, and the rocks associated with specific plate tectonic settings;
3. The ability to understand geological phenomena in a plate tectonic context, the distribution and origins of different rocktypes, and the processes that define them;
4. An ability to critically appraise statements about tectonic processes and the rock cycle;
5. The ability to identify and describe a range of rock types from hand specimens and thin sections, to recognise the principle features, and to accurately record these data during both field- and lab-work |
Assessment Information
Exam 60%
Course Assessment 40% between
One of the course components will involve field studies at the East Lothian coastline, which, if deemed inaccessible for disabled students will be replaced by a laboratory equivalent. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
This course imparts an understanding of the plate tectonic processes which shape the Earth and the integral link between tectonics and the rock cycle. It explores the formation of different rock types in their plate tectonic context and develops an understanding of how this knowledge can be used to understand the geological record. |
| Syllabus |
L1: Plate tectonics revision ¿ plate motion (absolute versus relative), drivers of plate motion, triple junctions, vectors, lithosphere, lithospheric properties (isostasy).
L2: Constructive, destructive and transform plate boundaries. Plate motion vectors.
L3: Heat flow, cooling and subsidence of the oceanic lithosphere, the thermal boundary layer, lithospheric stretching, beta factors, the geothermal gradient and melt generation.
L4: Subduction zone initiation, structure of a subduction zone, curvature, physical properties, melting, back arc spreading, ophiolites.
L5: Subduction zones - Subduction Zones, geophysical characteristics, slab dip, thermal structure of slabs, phase changes and buoyancy, stagnant slabs and the fate of the subducted slab.
L6: Magma generation at subduction zones. Back-arc basins, island arcs, magma generation and petrogenesis.
L7: Igneous rocks and plate tectonics. Magma series (subalkaline, alkaline, tholeiitic, calc-alkaline) and igneous rock classification. Formation of magmas in the various tectonic settings. Evolution of magmas by fractional crystallisation. Effects of water on fractional crystallisation paths. Formation of the Earth¿s crust.
L8: Magma chamber processes. Layered intrusions. Hypersolvus and subsolvus granites.
L9: Metamorphism in subduction and collision zones: metamorphic facies and characterisation of the P-T regimes. The end products ¿ examples of mineral zones and facies series and inferences from them.
L10: Metamorphism and deformation in orogeny: linking metamorphic conditions to deformation on micro- and mesoscales, evolution of crustal strength during metamorphism orogeny, deformation processes, the roles of fluids and melts. The end products and inferences from them.
L11: Rock cycle and the sediment record. Plate tectonics ¿ basin formation. Foreland basin infill.
L12: Carbon cycle ¿ implications from weathering, deposition.
L13: Siliclastic sediments. Sediment transport, erosion and deposition.
L14: Bedforms and sedimentary structures.
L15: Siliclastic petrography and plate tectonic setting 1
L16: Petrography and plate tectonic setting 2
L17: Plate tectonics and the British Isles
L18: Carbonate systems 1
L19: Carbonate systems 2
L20: Fluid mechanics in surface processes.
|
| Transferable skills |
Rock identification skills in both hand specimen and thin section; Field skills; Numerical skills. |
| Reading list |
1. Kearey, P., Klepeis, K.A. and Vine, F.J. 2009. Global Tectonics. Wiley-Blackwell 3rd edition
2. Rogers, N., Blake, S., Burton, K., Widdowson, M., Parkinson, I. and Harris, N. 2008. An Introduction to Our Dynamic Planet. Cambridge University Press.
3. Leeder, M., 1999, Sedimentology and Sedimentary Basins: from turbulence to tectonics. John Wiley and Sons.
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Lectures, practicals and 2 day field trip |
| Keywords | Plate tectonics; geological record; Igneous; Sedimentary; Metamorphic rocks |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Hugh Sinclair
Tel: (0131 6)50 5931
Email: Hugh.Sinclair@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: Nikki.Muir@ed.ac.uk |
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