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. The course also considers 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 rocks are used to reconstruct ancient tectonic and other environments.
Practicals will develop concepts from the lectures.
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| Course description |
Syllabus
1. Oceanic plates, transform faults and plate flexure
2. Plate motion: boundary motion vectors, direct and indirect plate motion determination, triple junction stability
3. The subducted slab: tomography, seismics, thermal structure, phase changes and buoyancy
4. Lithospheric properties: heat flow and plate cooling models
5. Igneous rocks and the rock cycle; classification of Igneous rocks; silica saturation; subalkaline, transitional and alkaline magmas; Bowen's reaction series; relationship between magma types and global tectonics
6. The Earth's mantle, mantle melting and the genesis of basic magmas; relationship between composition and degree and depth of mantle melting under dry conditions; contrasted mineralogy of subalkaline and alkaline basic igneous rocks; formation of oceanic crust
7. Subduction zone processes; effect of water on mantle melting and subsequent evolution of magmas; formation of the continental crust; origin of granite.
8. Granites and granitic rocks; classification into I-, S- and A-type granites; recycling of crustal rocks into S-type granite; subsolvus and hypersolvus granites
9. Reading metamorphic rocks from mineral zones to the facies concept and metamorphic facies
10. The importance of protoliths
11. Mapping metamorphism
12. Facies Series, P-T paths and tectonics
13. Carbonate systems and processes; global occurrences and controls on deposition, and basic diagenesis.
14. Modern and ancient carbonate systems and processes
15. Fluid dynamics and transport of grains
16. Bedforms, sedimentary structures and deserts settings (modern and ancient)
17. River systems (modern and ancient)
18. Deltaic settings (modern and ancient)
19. Deep-water settings (modern and ancient)
20. Sedimentary petrology and provenance
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Earth Dynamics (EASC08001)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | To enter this course, 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. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain modern tectonic theory and plate tectonic processes.
- Interpret and explain major features of current and past tectonic activity, and the geological processes involved.
- Understand the mode of formation of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks in the context of global tectonics and the ability to identify and interpret them under a petrological microscope.
- Analyse sedimentary successions in the laboratory and the field and the criteria used to reconstruct ancient sedimentary environments.
- Understand 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, JS. and Domecco, R. 2008. Earth Surface Processes, Landforms and Sedimentary Deposits. Cambridge University Press.
5. R. Gill, Igneous Rocks and Processes: A Practical Handbook, 2010. Wiley-Blackwell.
6. Best, M.G., Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, 2nd Edition, 2002 (Blackwell Publishing)
http://www.docs.is.ed.ac.uk/docs/library/ResourceLists/Resource_Lists_and_the_Accessible_and_Inclusive_Learning_Policy.pdf
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Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alan Hastie
Tel: (0131 6)50 4910
Email: Alan.Hastie@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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