Undergraduate Course: Helmsdale 3rd Year Field Excursion and Interpretation Exercise (EASC09041)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The exposures of Jurassic rocks along the coastline near Helmsdale, NE Scotland, are world-class examples of fault-related clastic sedimentation. A study is made of the structural, sedimentological and stratigraphic relationships exposed. The interpretation exercise focuses on seismic reflection profiles constrained by knowledge of the structures and sedimentary succession at the basin margin near Helmsdale. |
| Course description |
Collection of basic geological field data (grain size, sorting, bed thicknesses and styles, sedimentary structures, field relationships) is a core skill for Earth Scientists including geophysists who may well have to work with (more field oriented) geologists in their careers. Understanding of sedimentary facies, and relationship to controls such as faulting and sea level change may be vital for interpretation of complex geophysical data, as performed as part of an asset team in a typical working environment. It is also the fundamental basis of geology - field data is the ultimate source of knowledge concerning Earth history, and the interaction of processes and their controls.
Basic field geology.
Petroleum geology (reservoirs and seals).
Sedimentology especially in relation to fault tectonics.
Use of industry-standard seismic interpretation software (PETREL).
Volumetic calculation for oilfield.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Any Third Year Earth Science student would have the experience to take this elective. |
| Additional Costs | The cost of this fieldtrip in 2013/14 was £130. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 0%, Course Work: 100 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
The assessment is based on 2 reports.
Fieldwork (maximum 1,500 words excluding references).
This should include:
a) field observations, tied to locations;
b) photographs and / or field sketches. All photos must be accompanied by an explanatory sketch; except for close-up photos of e.g. fossils. Photos and sketches must have a caption;
c) basic interpretations of the observations such as sedimentary environment; suitability of the strata as reservoir or seal; and
d) short summary or conclusions.
A literature review is not expected, though key papers can be cited in support of interpretation. Standard scientific notation should be used for references.
Interpretation Exercise (maximum 1,500 words excluding references).
This should include:
a) interpreted seismic sections;
b) volumetric calculation for best structure; and
c) assessment of the quality of the volumetric assessment. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Use of onshore outcrops to build up an overall picture of a sedimentary basin - how and when rifting initiated, sedimentary facies, susidence history.
- Understand the effect of fault segmentation of the Helmsdale Fault on sediment dispersal within the basin.
- Understand how geological constraints impact on the seismic interpretation.
- Practice and enhance basic field geology skills including field observation; keeping a notebook; synthesis of observations into geological history.
- Gain basic familiarity with industry-standard seismic interpretation software (PETREL).
6. Understand simple volumetic calculation for oilfield.
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Reading List
*** PALEOECOLOGY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY ACROSS A JURASSIC FAULT SCARP, NE SCOTLAND, 1993, WIGNALL, PB; PICKERING, KT
Source: JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume: 150 Pages: 323-340
** Geology of East Sutherland and Caithness, ed Trewin NH and Hurst A. 1993 and 2009 for colour photos!
** Edwards, H.E., Becker, A.D. & Howell, J.A., 1993, Compartmentalization of an aeolian sandstone by structural heterogeneities: Permo-Triassic Hopeman Sandstone, Moray Firth, Scotland. In: North, C.P. & Prosser, D.J. (eds), Characterisation of Fluvial and Aeolian Reservoirs, Geological Society, London, Special Publications; v. 73; p. 339-365
** The structural and diagenetic evolution of injected sandstones: examples from the Kimmeridgian of NE Scotland
Jonk, et al. 2003, JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, v.160, p.881-894.
** Mass-wasting of ancient aeolian dunes and sand fluidization during a period of global warming and inferred brief high precipitation: the Hopeman Sandstone (late Permian), Scotland, Hurst, A; Glennie, KW, 2008
TERRA NOVA, v.20, p.274-279
** THE UPPER JURASSIC BOULDER BEDS AND RELATED DEPOSITS - A FAULT-CONTROLLED SUBMARINE SLOPE, NE SCOTLAND, PICKERING, KT, 1984, JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, v.141 p.357-374
* SMALL-SCALE SYN-SEDIMENTARY FAULTS IN THE UPPER JURASSIC BOULDER BEDS
PICKERING, KT, 1993, SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY, v.19, p. 169-181
ORIGIN OF QUARTZ CEMENTS IN SOME SANDSTONES FROM THE JURASSIC OF THE INNER MORAY FIRTH (UK, VAGLE, GB; HURST, A; DYPVIK, H, 1994, SEDIMENTOLOGY v.41 p. 363-377
MID JURASSIC STRATIGRAPHY AND FACIES AT BRORA, SUTHERLAND, HURST, AR, 1991, SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY, v.17, p.169-177
Mixed marine and lacustrine input to an oil-cemented sandstone breccia from Brora, Scotland
Peters, KE; Clutson, MJ; Robertson, G, 1999, ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY v. 30 p.237-248
Stratigraphic control on mudrock chemistry, Kimmeridgian boulder bed succession, NE Scotland
Davies, SJ; Pickering, KT, 1999, CHEMICAL GEOLOGY v.156 p. 5-23
Review of the Kimmeridgian flora of Sutherland, Scotland, with reference to the ecology and in situ pollen and spores
vanKonijnenburgvanCittert, JHA; vanderBurgh, J 1996, PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION, v.107 p.97-105
***Suggested reading for Geophysisists:***
The excursion always has students with a wide range of field expertise, we do expect some people without much geology.
Books: there is a guide book to the area (Excursion guide to the geology of East Sutherland and Caithness), as above
Otherwise, Geological field Techniques by Angela Coe (not in library?) is good (the sedimentary section, not the rest of it).
There are also:
Sedimentary Rocks in the Field (Geological Field Guide) by Maurice E. Tucker,
The Field Description of Sedimentary Rocks (Geological Society of London Handbook Series) by Maurice E. Tucker (same book but older?)
Otherwise books on general sedimentology, e.g. these are in library:
Understanding the Earth:
Chapter 15, Sedimentary Basins
Chapter 16, Clastic Sediments
Earth¿s Dynamic Systems 9th Edition:
Chapter 5, Sedimentary Rocks
Chapter 10, Weathering
Sedimentology & Sedimentary Basins, from Turbulence to Tectonics (M. Leeder)
Part 6: Continental seds
Part 7: Marine seds
Elements of Petroleum Geology, Selley, R.C., 2nd Edition, 1998, Chapter 6: The Reservoir.
Finally, there are a number of papers on the area, which are a bit more tricky but might help, the best (from the list above) is:
PALEOECOLOGY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY ACROSS A JURASSIC FAULT SCARP, NE SCOTLAND, 1993, WIGNALL, PB; PICKERING, KT JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY v. 150 p.23-340 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Report writing; working in groups |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
For 2013/14 field excursion runs from Tuesday 3 September to Sunday 8th September. NOTE this is before the start of Semester 1.
Residential excursion, with 5 nights in the Belgrave Arms Hotel, Helmsdale (Tel. 01431 821 242), bed, breakfast and evening meal. You buy your own lunches.
The weather can be cold and wet, please bring warm and waterproof clothing.
Notebook, hand lens, tape measure etc required. |
| Keywords | Helmsdale_Field_trip,Interpretation, geophysics, exploration, geology, |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mark Wilkinson
Tel: (0131 6)50 5943
Email: Mark.Wilkinson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Ken O'Neill
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: koneill3@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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