Undergraduate Course: Global Tectonics and the Rock Cycle (EASC08020)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | 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. In the second half of the course, the mechanisms by which sediment is generated as a result of the tectonic processes is analysed, as well as processes on in-situ sediment production. Sediment formation and transport processes are studied as well as the sediment and rock types that are generated. We then demonstrate how sedimentary roocks are used to reconstruct ancient tectonic and other environments. Practicals and a weekend field trip will develop concepts from the lectures. |
| Course 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.
L1: The Structure of the Solid Earth
Oceanic and continental crust
Properties of lithospheric plates
Plate boundaries
L2: Plate Motion:
Plate motion, absolute and relative
Velocity-space diagrams, boundary motion vectors and triple junctions
L3: Heat Flow:
Geothermal Gradients
Constructive margins
Stretching and Basin Evolution
L4: Melting and Magma Generation
Magma generation at constructive margins
Stretching, crustal thickness and the geotherm
L5: Destructive margins I
The key features of a subduction zone
Magma generation and arc formation
Continental arcs
L6: Destructive margins II
Subduction Initiation
Forces acting on plates
Arc-trench complexes
L7: Destructive Margins III
Granite magmatism
Collisional orogens
L8: Subducted Lithosphere
Seismicity and slab dip
Fate of the subducted slab
P-T controls
L9: Mantle Plumes and Hotspots
Ocean islands and LIPS
Mantle plumes and convection
L10: Palaeomagnetism and Palaeogeography
Palaeomagnetism and the GAD
Palaeogepgraphic techniques
Neopoterozoic-Palaeozoic palaeogrography of Scotland
L11: Global Sediment flux
Understand how sediment production relates to global tectonic versus climatic processes
Give examples of where some of the largest sediment production on Earth takes place and how it is tranported to the oceans
L12: Fluid Dynamics
Understand some of the basic fluid dynamic processes that determine sediment transport over the globe
Understand which fliud processes are critical to understanding sediment transport in specific environments such as rivers, deltas, glaciers.
L13: Sediment Transport and bedforms
Understand the mechanics of sediment transport in water and air
Differentiate the depositional characteristics of sediments transported and deposited by mass flows versus bedload, and beneath air and water.
Understand how bedforms evolve and migrate, and the nature of the sedimentary structures that are preserved.
L14: Continental settings
Understand the processes that characterise wind-blown deserts and the sedimentary features preserved in the sedimentary record.
Understand the processes that characterise river systems and the sedimentary features preserved in the sedimentary record.
L15: Deltaic settings
Differentiate the geomorphic characteristics of deltas dominated by wave, tide and fluvial processes.
Understand the physical characteristics of effluent plumes and their sedimentary record.
Understand how ancient deltaic systems are interpreted and reconstructed.
Differentiate unidirectional ripples versus oscillatory ripples generated under waves.
L16: Deep-water settings
Understand the morphology of the continental slope and how it controls sediment delivery to the deep sea via canyons
Understand the morphology of submarine fan systems.
Identify and understand the processes that generate turbidites and basal structures such as flutes and grooves.
L17: Plate tectonics I: sediment petrology and provenance techniques
L18: Plate tectonics II: sediment petrology and provenance techniques
L19: Carbonate systems 1
Introduction to the modern carbonate system: terrestrial, shallow marine and deep marine. Plate tectonic context and mechanisms of carbonate precipitation involving biological and chemical processes. The role of temperture, light, supersaturation and other controls on determining carbonate composition type.
L20: Carbonate systems 2
Introduction to ancient carbonates and the evolution of carbonates systems through time. Long-term processes that govern the history of carbonate sedimentation in the geological record, such as global tectonic cycles, climate fluctuations, evolution of the biosphere, and the role of carbonates in the evolving global carbon cycle.
14th and 15th March
Compulsory field trip to East Lothian and Borders.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Earth Dynamics (EASC08001) AND
Introduction to the Geological Record (EASC08017)
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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. |
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. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 90 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| 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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 60%, Course Work: 40 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
One of the course components will involve field studies at the East Lothian coastline.
Assessment deadlines
Plate motion practical Week 5
Fieldtrip deadline Sunday 15th March 2015 |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
An understanding of modern tectonic theory and plate tectonic processes;
Knowledge required to explain major features of current and past tectonic activity, and the rocks associated with specific plate tectonic settings;
The ability to understand geological phenomena in a plate tectonic context, the distribution and origins of different rock types, and the processes that define them;
An ability to critically appraise the assciation between tectonic processes and a range of rock types;
A knowledge of the techniques required to analyse sedimentary successions in the laboratory and the field and the criteria used to reconstruct ancient sedimentary environments.
An understanding of the surface, biological and chemical processes involved in the generation and transport of siliciclastic sediments (eg. Sands) and carbonates (eg. limestones and dolomites) over the globe, and their plate tectonic association.
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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.
4. Bridge, J., and Demicco, 2008, Earth Surface Processes, Landforms and Sediment Deposits: Cambridge University Press
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Rock identification skills in both hand specimen and thin section; Field skills; Numerical skills. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lectures: Mon 2-3 and Thurs 12-1
Practicals: EITHER Mon 2-3 OR Tues 11-12 AND EITHER Thurs 2-5 OR Fri 2-5.
A compulsory two-day field trip will run on 14th and 15th March 2015 to East Lothian and the Borders. The trip will leave and return to Edinburgh on each of the days. |
| Keywords | Plate tectonics; geological record; Igneous; Sedimentary; Metamorphic rocks |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Jennifer Tait
Tel:
Email: Jenny.Tait@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: Nikki.Muir@ed.ac.uk |
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