Undergraduate Course: Geological Evolution of the British Isles (EASC10124)
This course will be closed from 31 July 2026
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 region throughout geological time, meaning that the majority of the Earth's history is represented by the rocks of the British Isles.
Day Trip
A day trip to Stonehaven will take place on the 15th October 2025. Further information will be found in the Learn page.
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.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | This is a fourth-year honours level course; students are expected to have an academic profile equivalent to the first three years of this degree programme. Assessment of eligibility for honours level courses will be made on an individual basis.
|
| 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 paleo-geographical and geological history of the British Isles within a global context.
- Detailed knowledge of the Precambrian and Phanerozoic stratigraphical, structural and sedimentological rock record of the British Isles.
- An understanding of the economic subsurface resources within the British Isles and how they have influenced its economic development and population density.
- Enhanced ability to interpret, use and evaluate a wide range of specialist data and improved presentation skills.
|
Reading List
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 | Miss Rebecca Steele
Tel:
Email: Rebecca.Steele@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage