Undergraduate Course: Dynamic Stratigraphy (EASC10097)
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 provides an up-to-date overview of the main controls on the tectonic, sedimentary, igenous and metamorphic history of the British Isles. The lecture series will provide a broad overview of the Stratigraphy of the British Isles within its global paleogeographic context. The practicals will investigate individual aspects of the geological history of the British Isles in more detail, using specialist datasets or recent research literature. |
| Course description |
Lectures
1. Introduction to Dynamic Stratigraphy, course objectives, revision of the principles of stratigraphy (bio, chrono and litho) and basin analysis along with a summary of the Lewisian rocks of NW Scotland within their palaeographic context
2. Summary of the stratigraphy and depositional controls on Torridonian and Moine rocks of Scotland, and Precambrian of the remainder of the British Isles
3. Controls on deposition and metamorphism of the Dalradain rocks of Scotland and the Caledonian Orogeny
4. The Early Paleozoic of British Isles: Cambrian-Ordovician-Silurian rocks within their palaeographic context
5. The Late Paleozoic of British Isles: Devonian-Carboniferous-Permian rocks of the British Isles
6. The Mesozoic of British Isles: Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous rocks of the British Isles
7. The Cenozoic - Tertiary and Quaternary events in the British Isles
Practicals
1. Stratigraphy of British Isles through Earth History
- Examining a selection of hand specimens representing the paleogeography of UK through time through each period with a focus on depositional environment
2. The Stac Fada Member of the Torridonian Stoer Group Ash fall or metorite Impact deposit?
- An introduction into how to get the most from an academic paper
- Group presentation of a critical summary written during the class of a given research paper on the Stac Fada Member
Please bring your laptop to this practical if you have one.
3. Snowball Earth One snowball or several slush balls?
- An indepth look at the Snowball Earth hypothesis, including the triggers, duration and record of Neoproterozoic glacialation in the Britain and beyond
Group presentations to be prepared in advance of the practical (papers to study will be provided at the end of the previous weeks practical)
4. Controls on Devonian and Carboniferous sedimentation in Britian
- An indepth study of the stratigraphy, depositional environment and controls on sedimentation acting in Britain during the Devonian and Carboniferous Periods
5. Episodes of extensional magmatism in the British Isles
- Examination of the rock record of intra-plate volcanism which occurred in the British Isles during the Carboniferous and Permian Periods and at the outset of the Cenozoic Era, when the British Isles and continental Europe rifted away from North America.
6. Backstripping of the Conoco 15/30-1 Well
- Using the back stripping technique to determine the tectonic subsidence and uplift in the Central North Sea
- Understand the tectonic controls on Jurassic sedimentation in the North Sea
This practical will be held in the Level 3 KB computer lab
7. The record of Quaternary climate change from ocean sediments and exam revision session
- Introduction to Forminiferid paleoclimatology in North Atlantic ocean sediments
- Exam revision session will outline the exam format and how to answer the questions effectively as well as an opportunity to ask about any aspect of course
Field Trip Saturday 12th March 2016 we will leave the from the Grant Insitute at 8am
One day trip to Stonehaven to examine the Highland Boundary Fault and Highland Border complex. We will study the rock types and settings related to the genesis and emplacement of oceanic crust (ophiolite) along the contact between the metamorphic rocks of the Highlands to the north and the Old Red Sandstone (here Silurian) of the Midland Valley of Scotland to the south.
(The Ballantrae ophiolite complex is a backup location should weather forecast require it!)
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Global Tectonics and Sedimentology (EASC08019)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- A broad, integrated knowledge of the stratigraphical, structural, sedimentological, palaeo-geographical and geological history of the British Isles set into its European context and detailed knowledge of the Precambrian and Phanerozoic history of the British Isles.
- A critical understanding of the principles of stratigraphy (with and without fossils) and basin analysis.
- Knowledge of Quaternary events in the British Isles and an understanding of the economic potential of rocks.
- Enhance specialist knowledge and understanding, including a range of established techniques and research methodologies.
- Interpret, use and evaluate a wide range of specialist data.
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Reading List
Mountain Building in Scotland, The Open University. Available online for free! http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/geology/mountain-building-scotland/content-section-0
Geological History of Britain and Ireland, 2nd edition, Nigel Woodcock and Rob Strachan, 2012
Geology and Landscapes of Scotland, Con Gillen, 2003
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Keywords | Dynamic Stratigraphy |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stuart Gilfillan
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: stuart.gilfillan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: Sarah.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
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