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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Antarctica: Development of a Continent and its context in Rodian and Gondwana (EASC10072)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
Summary(a) Overview of East and West Antarctica:
Geography, features and geology. Its place in Gondwana

(b) The East Antarctic Shield
Evolution and significance for the context of Antarctica in pre-Rodinian continental reconstructions
550-500 Ma Pan-African orogenesis. The Ross Orogen.
Impacts for Rodinia and the amalgamation of Gondwana.

(c) The Trans-Antarctic Mountains and West Antarctica:
Palaeozoic-Mesozoic evolution.
Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanism, uplift and Ross Sea rifting.
The record of fore-arc, arc and back-arc systems in West Antarctica

(d) Breakup of Gondwana:
The Antarctic marine record, microplate rotations and other effects in the Pacific - Atlantic sector.

(e) Glaciation and recent climate change:
Eocene and post-Eocene glaciation and its longer-term record. The shorter-term record from slected parts of the EAS.
Course description 1. Overview of East and West Antarctica:
Geography, features and geology. Its place in Gondwana

2. The East Antarctic Shield
Evolution and significance for the context of Antarctica in pre-Rodinian continental reconstructions.
550-500 Ma Pan-African orogenesis.
The Ross Orogen.
Impacts for Rodinia and the amalgamation of Gondwana.

3. The Trans-Antarctic Mountains and West Antarctica:
Palaeozoic-Mesozoic evolution.
Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanism, uplift and Ross Sea rifting.
The record of fore-arc, arc and back-arc systems in West Antarctica

4. Breakup of Gondwana:
The Antarctic marine record, microplate rotations and other effects in the Pacific & Atlantic sector.

5. Glaciation and recent climate change:
Eocene and post-Eocene glaciation and its longer-term record. The shorter-term record from selected parts of the EAS.


An advanced course leading to an in-depth understanding of the most remote and significant continent on our planet
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements This is a level 10 option course that is available only to those students who have previously passed the third year (junior honours year) in Geology, Geology & Physical Geography or Geology & Geophysics.

Required pre-requisite courses are at least 3 from the following list:
Structural Geology (EASC09002);
Chemical Geology (EASC09009);
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (EASC09008);
Geology and Landscapes (EASC10079); and
Sedimentology (EASC09037).

In exceptional cases, by agreement with the Course Organiser, the course may be available to other Geoscience and Visiting Students who have appropriate levels of attainment in relevant courses
Additional Costs None.
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. To develop a thorough understanding of the principal aspects and the significance of Antarctic geology: its geological evolution from the Archaean to the present, its Gondwanan and Rodinian contexts and its Cenozoic glacial record.
  2. To develop an appreciation of the significance of geological information from Antarctica in constraining models for past continental configurations and the processes of supercontinent formation and break-up.
  3. To research and develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of one particular aspect of Antarctica geology which will be supplemented by information sourced from relevant published literature.
  4. To develop formal presentation skills on a chosen specialised topic to an informed audience during which the knowledge presented will be in a critical fashion and where information is limited, reasonable judgements will be made.
  5. To be able to work with others to develop a coherent and thorough overview and analysis of a theme within the spectrum of those embraced by the course.
Reading List
This is given during the course.
A key reference, however, will be:
Harley, S.L., Fitzsimons, I.C.W. & Zhao, Y., 2013. Antarctica and supercontinent evolution: historical perspectives, recent advances and unresolved issues. In (Harley, S.L., Fitzsimons, I.C.W. & Zhao, Y. eds.) Antarctica and Supercontinent Evolution. Special Publications Geological Society of London. Volume 383.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Seminar Presentations
Group work on thematic seminar topics
Concentration skills
Penguin Appreciation
Special Arrangements Students do not need to provide their own ice axes
Study Abroad None
Additional Class Delivery Information 5-6 sessions of lectures / presentations, followed by a gap during which students develop theier seminar work and literature reveiws, then followed by 2 or more student-led seminar presentations.
KeywordsAntarctica Rodinia Gondwana geological evolution metamorphism mountain building amalgamation
Contacts
Course organiserProf Simon Harley
Tel: (0131 6)50 8547
Email: s.harley@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Casey Hollway
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: Casey.Hollway@ed.ac.uk
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