Undergraduate Course: Geological Evolution of the British Isles (EASC10124)
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 | This course provides students with an up-to-date overview of the main controls on the tectonic, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic geological history of the British Isles. The lecture series provides a broad overview of the rock record of the British Isles within its global paleogeographic context. The practical sessions investigate individual case studies of particular events in the geological history of the British Isles, using specialist datasets or student led reviews of recent research literature. For Earth Sciences students at the University of Edinburgh, the course also integrates a
variety of knowledge gained from previous courses and UK fieldtrips. |
| Course description |
The British Isles have a remarkably varied geological history for such a small fragment of continental crust, with an extraordinary rock record back stretching through three billion years of Earth History. This geological evolution would have been interesting enough if it had been played out on relatively stable continental crust. However, the British Isles have developed at a tectonic crossroads, on crust once traversed by subduction zones and volcanic arcs, continental rifts and mountain belts. The resulting geological complexity is instructive, fascinating and perplexing. This is further enhanced by the northwards drift of the province throughout its geological history, meaning that the majority of the geological history of the planet is represented within the stratigraphy of the British Isles.
Lectures
Week 1
1. Introduction to 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
Week 2
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. Late Proterozoic and Early Palaeozoic sedimentation and volcanism in the British Isles
Week 3
4. The Early Palaeozoic of British Isles: Cambrian-Ordovician-Silurian rocks within their palaeographic context
Week 4
5. The Late Palaeozoic of British Isles: Devonian-Carboniferous-Permian rocks of the British Isles
Week 5
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 their depositional environment and climatic controls.
- An introduction into how to get the most from an academic paper.
2. The Stac Fada Member of the Torridonian Stoer Group: Ash fall or meteorite Impact deposit?
- Group presentations on the Stac Fada Member to be prepared in advance of the practical (papers to study will be provided at the end of the previous weeks practical).
- Please bring your laptop to this practical if you have one.
3. Snowball Earth - One snowball or several slush balls?
- An in-depth look at the Snowball Earth hypothesis, including the triggers, duration and record of Neoproterozoic glaciation 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).
- Please bring your laptop to this practical if you have one.
4. Controls on Devonian and Carboniferous sedimentation in Britain
- An in-depth study of the stratigraphy, depositional environment and controls on sedimentation acting in Britain during the Devonian and Carboniferous Periods
5. Have the Scottish Highlands always been high?
- A detailed student led examination of the literature on the evolution of the topography of the Highlands through time.
- Group presentations to be prepared in advance of the practical (papers to study will be provided at the end of the previous weeks practical).
- Please bring your laptop to this practical if you have one.
- A brief revision session will outline the 4-page essay format and how to answer the questions effectively as well as an opportunity to ask about any aspect of course.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 7,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 14,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
77 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment components
Course Work: 100%
1. A single A4 page synoptic event diagram summarising the major geological events shown by the rocks observed on the fieldtrip. (This will comprise 50% of the course mark).
2. A 4 page fully referenced essay chosen from a selection of topics provided for students to choose from at the end of Week 7.
Assessment Deadlines:
Synoptic Event Diagram ¿ 12 noon, Thursday 24th October 2024 (Week 6 - Semester 1)
4 page fully referenced essay ¿ 12 noon, Thursday 7th November 2024 (Week 8 ¿ Semester 1)
Students must attain an overall mark of 40% (or above) to pass the course. |
| Feedback |
Feedback is a key component of your learning experience, and this a high priority in the delivery of this course.
Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback in the following instances:
- Personal 1-to-1 feedback during the practical sessions, as students progress on the exercises during the course (once a week). Feedback will be provided by both demonstrators and teaching staff.
- Personal 1-to-1 feedback during the one day field trip. Feedback will be provided by demonstrators and teaching staff.
- Individual feedback will be provided on each students single page synoptic event diagram summarising the major geological events shown by the rocks observed on the fieldtrip. This will include recommendations as to how you can improve your grades.
Students are expected to build on this feedback to progress and produce work of good standard.
Course team members are happy to give individual feedback to students who ask.
Examples of feedback can be found here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teachingorganisation/staff/feedback-and-marking
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- A broad, integrated knowledge of the stratigraphical, structural, sedimentological, paleo-geographical and geological history of the British Isles set into its European context.
- 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.
- An understanding of the economic subsurface resources within the British Isle and how they have influenced its development and population density.
- Enhanced ability to interpret, use and evaluate a wide range of specialist data and improved presentation skills
|
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 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Dynamic Stratigraphy |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stuart Gilfillan
Tel: (0131 6)51 3462
Email: stuart.gilfillan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage