Undergraduate Course: Evolution of the Modern Earth (EASC10090)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course consists of a series of thematic lectures primarily relating to "Earth Surface Processes", including sedimentation and tectonics in both continental and marine settings. Fundamental processes will be illustrated with geological case histories. |
| Course description |
The course consists of a series of 22 thematic lectures primarily relating to "Earth Surface Processes" in modern and ancient settings on land and under the sea.
Week 1: Oceanographic processes
Tuesday 22nd Sept, 9-9.50 am, Dick Kroon
Pelagic sedimentation
Principles; modern, sedimentation pattern and processes on a global basis.
Tuesday 22nd Sept, 10-10.50 am Dick Kroon
Pelagic sedimentation processes; Essentials of palaeoceanograpy; selected examples largely drawn from the results of ocean drilling.
The examinable essay will be set during the first lecture sessions in Week 1 and will be handed in to the Grant Inst. Teaching Organisation by 12 noon Monday 19th October.
Week 2: Ocean-continent interaction
Monday 28th Sept, 10-10.50, Further explanation of the course content and objectives; Formative feedback thematic tutorial and case history, Alastair Robertson and Dick Kroon
Tuesday 29th Sept, 9-9.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Rift sedimentation and tectonics
Early Rift phase; sedimentary processes;
Modern and ancient examples; clastic and carbonate settings.
Tuesday 29th Sept, 10-10.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Transition to passive margins
Clastic- and carbonate-dominated rifted margins. Ancient examples.
Alpine case history.
Week 3: Ocean-continent interaction and ocean floor magmatic processes
Tuesday 6th Oct, 9-9.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Sedimentation on mature passive margins
Recent sedimentary processes. E USA example;
E USA margin deep sea drilling case history
Tuesday 6th Oct, 10-10.50, Alastair Robertson
Seafloor spreading tectonics and processes
Key features of Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge as seen in recent submersible studies; BRIDGE (Mid-Ocean Ridge project); land-based observations in Iceland.
Week 4: Ocean floor magmatic processes and ocean-continent interaction and
Monday 12th Oct 10-10.50 Formative feedback thematic tutorial and case history Alastair Robertson
Tuesday 13th October am 9-9.50 am, Godfrey Fitton
Ocean ridge magmatism; plume-ridge interaction (e.g. Iceland); large igneous provinces.
Tuesday 13h October am 10-10.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Arc-trench sedimentation and structure
Form, structure and fill of trenches and accretionary
prisms. Accretion: geophysical, bathymetric and heat-flow;
Subduction erosion; Franciscan melange case history
Week 5 ocean-related processes
Examinable essay (set in Week 1) to be handed in to the Grant Inst. Teaching Organisation by 12 noon Monday 19th October.
Tuesday 20th October 9-9.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Back-arc and fore-arc processes and settings;
Modern and ancient back-arc basins. e.g. Mariana, Lau, Japan.
Latest IODP results. Tyrrhennian sea case history
Tuesday 20th October 10-10.50 Alastair Robertson
Pelagic sedimentary rocks,
Importance for ancient record; examples in orogenic belts; processes of formation; specific examples from the Alpine-Mediterranean Tethys mainly
Week 6: sedimentation in mountain building
Monday 26th October 10-10.50 Formative feedback thematic tutorial and case history Alastair Robertson
Tuesday 27th October 9-10.50 am, Hugh Sinclair
The growth of mountain topography
Mountain Building, erosion, critical wedges, plateaux;
Post-orogenic landscapes.
Tuesday 27th October 10-10.50 am, Hugh Sinclair
Controls on sediment yields from mountain belts.
Geomorphologica/tectonic control of sediment discharge to the ocean: importance of small mountainous rivers; sediment flux from a mountain belt derived by landslide mapping; Bedrock incision, rock uplift and threshold hillslopes in the NW Himalayas.
Week 7: sedimentation in mountain building, contd.
Tuesday 3rd Nov 9-9.50 am, Hugh Sinclair
Sediment flux by mountain rivers.
River catchment shape; distorted drainage basins as markers of crustal strain east of the Himalayas; contrasting sediment flux to foreland basins.
Tuesday 3rd Nov 10-10.50 am, Hugh Sinclair
Sediment trapping in foreland basins
Thrust loads and foreland basin evolution;
Foreland basin subsidence driven by topographic growth versus plate subduction.
Week 8: application to selected orogenic belts
Monday 9th 10-10.50 October Formative feedback thematic tutorial and case history Hugh Sinclair
Tuesday 10th November 9-9.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Ophiolite geology
Ophiolites as spreading phenomena and role in mountain building e.g. Semail, Troodos, Newfoundland, W. Mediterranean, circum-Pacific. Comparison with normal MOR's.
Tuesday 10th November 10-10.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Miocene-Recent evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean
Plate motions; tectonic and sedimentary effects.
Back-arc extension; slab rollback effects;
W Turkey extensional basin case history
Note-this lecture is also relevant to the Cyprus field excursion.
Week 9; application to selected orogenic belts, contd.
Tuesday 17th Nov 9-9.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Himalayas and Tibet; Rift to collision setting.
Rifting and passive margin development; northward drift of India; Subduction and ophiolite genesis; Collision; foreland basin initiation; field-based examples.
Tuesday 17th Nov 10-10.50 am, Alastair Robertson
Evolution of the Oman continental margin and ophiolite
Oman Regional setting; rift history; passive margin
setting; oceanic units (ophiolite); role of melanges and
metamorphic sole; ophiolite stratigraphy; sulphides;
emplacement and younger setting
Week 10
Monday 23rd 10-10.50 Nov Formative feedback thematic tutorial and course conclusion Alastair Robertson, Hugh Sinclair and Godfrey Fitton
Tuesday 24th
No classes; exam revision
|
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
| Course Start Date |
21/09/2015 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
58 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
75 %,
Coursework
25 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 80%, Course Work: 20 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
Prepare an illustrated essay:
"Explain our current state of knowledge of the fundamental processes involved in the final stages of rifting and continental break-up of the Atlantic margin of Newfoundland to form the North Atlantic Ocean, utilising sedimentary, structural, igneous and geophysical evidence. Mention any uncertainties in the present interpretations and suggest possible ways to resolve any such uncertainties in the future."
Notes:
-Essay length maximum 1500 word (not including figures or references);
-Essay should list references used at the end;
-The essay should focus on the information related to the drilling of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 210.
-Diagrams should be hand-or computer drawn and NOT photocopies;
References
-Leg 210 Initial Results and Scientific results volumes that are easily available on line from the IODP/ODP website (Tuchkolke, Sibuet et al.)
-Pay particular attention to papers by Tucholke et al., Manatschal et al. and Robertson;
-You are also expected to search the literature for additional relevant published material.
To be handed in to the Grant Inst. Teaching Organisation by 12 noon Monday 19th October.
Any queries to Alastair Robertson
|
| Feedback |
The feedback will be based on several question-and-answer sessions which will take place during several of the scheduled Monday class times (to be announced).
|
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Evolution of the Modern Earth | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Students will be actively encouraged to extensively read around the subject and will therefore be able to offer professional level insights as well as being able to critically review and consolidate knowledge.
- In the exam assessment students will apply their knowledge in ways directly addressed during the course but will also be expected to utilise information from previous relevant (obligatory) courses. Students will therefore be extected to display an ability to solve professional level problems with originality and creativity.
|
Reading List
A consolidated list of literature references (generally two per lecture) will be given out at the start of the course.
Andrew Bell: Crustal rheology
1. Jackson, J, Mckenzie, D, Priestley, K, et al., 2008. New views on the structure and rheology of the lithosphere, J. Geol. Soc. 165, 453-465
2. Scholz, C.H. 2002. The mechanics of earthquakes and faulting (2nd ed.), Chapter 3
H. Sinclair: The growth of mountain topography
Davis, D., Supper, J. & Dahlen, F.A. (1983) Mechanics of Fold-and-Thrust Belts and Accretionary Wedges. Journal of Geophysical Research, 88, 1153-1172
Lave, J. & Avouac, J.P. (2000) Active Folding of Fluvial Terraces across the Siwaliks Hills, Himalayas of Central Nepal. Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, 105, 5735-5770
H Sinclair: Controls on sediment yield from mountain belts
Milliman, John D., and James PM Syvitski. "Geomorphic/tectonic control of sediment discharge to the ocean: the importance of small mountainous rivers." The Journal of Geology (1992): 525-544.
Burbank, Douglas W., et al. "Bedrock incision, rock uplift and threshold hillslopes in the northwestern Himalayas." Nature 379.6565 (1996): 505-510.
H Sinclair: Sediment flux by mountain rivers
Hallet, B., and Molnar, P., Distorted drainage basins as markers of crustal strain east of the Himalaya. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 106, NO. B7, PP. 13,697-13,709, 2001 doi:10.1029/2000JB900335
Burbank, Douglas W., and Robert S. Anderson. Tectonic geomorphology. Wiley. com, 2011. (relevant parts; ask Hugh Sinclair).
H Sinclair: Sediment trapping in foreland basins
Jordan, T. E., (1981) Thrust Loads and Foreland Basin Evolution, Cretaceous, Western United States, AAPG Bulletin. Volume 65, Issue 12. (December), Pages 2506 - 2520
Naylor, M., Sinclair, H. D., (2008) Pro- versus retro-Foreland Basins: Basin Research Volume 20, Issue 3, pages 285¿303, 2008
D. Kroon: pelagic sediments
Seibold, E and Berger, W.H., 1982. The Sea Floor, chapter 3. Sources and composition of marine sediments, Springer-Verlag, pages 54-76.
Seibold, E. and Berger, W.H., 1982. The Sea Floor, chapter 8. Patterns of Deep Sea Sedimentation, Springer-Verlag, pages 181-201.
A Robertson: Sedimentation-Early rift phase
Gawthorpe, R.L., Leeder, M.R., 2000. Tectono-sedimentary evolution of active extensional basins. Basin Research 12, 195-218.
Tucholke, B.E., Sawyer, D.S., Sibuet, J.-C., 2007. Break-up of the Newfoundland-Iberia rift. In Karner, G.D. et al. (eds). Imaging, Mapping and Modelling Continental Lithosphere Extension and Breakuo Geological Society, London Special Publication 292, 9-46.
A Robertson: Rift and passive margin sedimentation
Larsen, H.C., 2005. Investigations of rifted margins. JOIDES Journal 85-90.
Manatschal, G., Müntener, O., Lavier, L.L., Misshull, T.A., Peron-Pinvidic, G., 2007. Observations from thee Alpine Tethys and the Iberia-Newfoundland margins pertinent to the interpretation of continental breakup. In Karner, G.D. et al. (eds). Imaging, Mapping and Modelling Continental Lithosphere Extension and Breakuo Geological Society, London Special Publication 292, 291-324.
A Robertson: Arc-trench sedimentation
Plank, T., 2002. Subduction factory input and output JOIDES Journal, 28, No 1, 73-77.
Moore, C. and Silver, E., 2002. Fluid flow in accreting and eroding convergent margins. Journal, 28, No 1, 91-96. (given out in class)
A. Robertson: Backarc basins
Underwood, M B and others, l995. Sedimentation in forearc basins, trenches and collision zones, of the western Pacific: a summary of results from the Ocean Drilling Program. American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph 88, In B Taylor and J Natland (eds). Active Margins and Marginal Basins of the Western Pacific, 315-354. (copies in the 4th yr. room),
Kastens, K.A., J. Mascle and Shipboard Scientific Party, l988. ODP
Leg 107 in the Tyrrhenian Sea: insights into passive margin and back
arc basin evolution. Geological Society of America, Bulletin 100,1140
1156.
G. Fitton: Large igneous provinces
Coffin, M.F. & O. Eldholm (1994) Large igneous provinces: crustal structure, dimensions, and external consequences, Reviews of Geophysics, 32, 1-36.
Wignall, P.B., (2001) Large igneous provinces and mass extinctions. Earth-Science Reviews 53, 1 ¿ 33.
A. Robertson: British Mid-ocean Ridge project and oceanic crust.
Humphries, S., 2002. Altered rock and seafloor massive sulphide deposits: the record of hydrothermal processes. JOIDES Journal, 28, No 1, 67-72
J. A. Pearce., 2002. The Oceanic Lithosphere. JOIDES Journal, 28, No 1, 61-66.
A. Robertson: Ophiolite geology
Special issue of ¿Elements¿, 2014, (vol 10, no. 2). International Magazine of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, Ed. Y Dilek and H. Furness.
(browse several papers; e.g. by Julian Pearce).
Hawkins, J. 2003. Geology of supra-subduction zones-implications for the origin of ophiolites. In: Dilek, Y and Newcomb, S. (eds). Ophiolite Concept and the Evolution of Geological Thought.Geological Society of America Special Paper 373, 227-268.
A. Robertson: Ancient pelagic sediments
Jenkyns, H.C. Pelagic sediments, In Reading, H.G. Sedimentary Environments and Facies, 2nd. l986
Robertson, A H F Robertson and Hudson, J.D., l974 Pelagic sediments in the Cretaceous-Miocene development of Cyprus. In: Hsu, K and Jenkyns, H.C. (eds). Pelagic Sediments on Land and Under the Sea. Special Publication of the International Association of Sedimentologists, No. 1.
A. Robertson: Oman: continental margin-oceanic crust emplacement
A.H.F. Robertson and M.P. Searle (l990). The northern Oman Tethyan continental margin: stratigraphy, structure, concepts and controversies. In: Robertson, A.H.F., Searle, M.P. and Ries, A.C. 1990 (Eds). The Geology and Tectonics of the Oman Region. Special Publication of the Geological Society of London, 49, 3-44
A. Robertson: Himalayas
1. Gaetani, M and Garzanti, E., l991. Multicycle history of the northern India continental margin (North western Himalayas). American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin 75, 127-1446.
2. Robertson, A H F and Degnan, M P l993 Sedimentology and tectonic implications of the Lamayuru Complex: deep-water facies of the Indian passive margin, Indus Suture Zone, Ladakh Himalaya. In: Treloar, P.J. & Searle. M.P. (eds). Himalayan Tectonics. Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., 74, 299-321.
3. Khan, M.A. et al. l993. Evolution of the lower arc crust in Kohistan, N Pakisatan: temporal arc magmatism through early, mature and intra-arc rift stages. In: Treloar and Searle (eds). Himalayan Tectonics, Geol. Soc. London Special Pub., 74, 123-138.
A. Robertson: Neotectonic evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean Taymaz et al. 1991, Active tectonics of the north and central Aegean Sea. geophysics Journal international, 106, 433-490.
Kahle et al., 2000. GPS-derived strain rate field within the boundary zones of the Eurasian, African and Arabian plates. Journal of Geophysical Research, 105, 23353-23370 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lectures on Tuesdays at 9:00-10:50, Weeks 1-11.
The course will use the Monday lectures in the timetable as occasional feedback sessions, which the Course Organiser will discuss and agree with the students first. Students will receive an email advertising the session. |
| Keywords | EME |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Alastair Robertson
Tel: (0131 6)50 8546
Email: Alastair.Robertson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Casey Hollway
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: Casey.Hollway@ed.ac.uk |
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