Module GEOL3091: TECTONICS AND DEFORMATION PROCESSES

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3091: TECTONICS AND DEFORMATION PROCESSES

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To understand the nature, causes, controls and interactions of mantle and lithosphere deformation processes on all scales within the Earth and how these are assessed and measured by geoscientists.

Content

• LARGE SCALE DEFORMATION
• Deformation — definitions and key concepts.
• Creep and long time-scale stresses.
• The sub-lithospheric mantle.
• PREM.
• The lithosphere.
• ROCK MECHANICS AND EARTHQUAKES
• Principles of rock, fault and earthquake mechanics.
• Deformation experiments and estimating the rocks physical and mechanical parameters.
• DEFORMATION PROCESSES
• Fracturing and fracture process zones.
• Crystal plasticity, diffusive mass transfer.
• Practical interpretation of microstructures in rocks.
• Deformation mechanism and regime maps.
• Heterogeneity.
• Fault zone weakening.

Learning Outcomes

• To critically assess the relationships between large-scale geophysical observations and the macroscopic rheological behaviour of the Earth.
• To systematically describe microstructures and relate these to deformation mechanisms in naturally deformed rocks.
• To understand the relationships between grain-scale deformation mechanisms and large-scale lithosphere dynamics.

• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills necessary to plan, conduct and report on laboratory projects.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in order to apply geological principles and methodologies to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to observe, record accurately and account for geological features in the laboratory.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate/interpret geological data.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in citation and appropriate use of the literature.

• Critical analysis, research capability: Receive and respond to a variety of information sources.
• Practical competency: Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages.
• Independent learning, numeracy, IT skills, information skills, literacy.
• Initiative and drive, innovation and creativity, problem solving.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is delivered through a mix of one hour-lectures and two-hour practicals, supported by handouts, directed reading and web-based materials held on DUO.
• The practicals form an important component of the module allowing hands-on learning and experience of tackling and solving graphical-and-thin-section-based problems that help re-enforce key concepts introduced during lectures.
• Formative assessment is provided in practical tests with feedback.
• Guidance on preparation, key and exam skills are provided.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Practical tests with feedback and feedback during project preparation.