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Nature and origin of structures produced by deformation in the Earth’s crust, and material properties of rocks that affect the way in which they respond. Practical geometric methods associated with deriving and representing the three dimensional form of structures commonly encountered in geological practice, and synthesis of tectonic settings. This course also covers large-scale geometry and processes of plate tectonics, and topics in global geophysics linked to current observation and plate tectonic theory.
When rocks in the Earth’s crust are subjected to stresses generated by dynamic tectonic processes, they are deformed into a variety of structures. The material properties of rocks affect the way in which they respond and this course introduces the physical principles, which explain the origin of common structures, such as folds and faults.While the lecture course emphasizes the nature and origin of the range of deformation structures, the laboratory course concentrates on the practical geometric methods associated with deriving and representing the three dimensional form of such structures. This involves the use of various projection techniques to solve problems that are commonly encountered in geological practice. In the latter part of the course, a synthesis of the way in which characteristic associations of structures develop into distinctive styles in different tectonic settings are introduced. The course ends with an introduction of the large-scale geometry and processes of plate tectonics. Selected topics in global geophysics (seismology, paleomagnetism, geomagnetism, heat flow and isostasy) provide an overview of the nature of global processes, linked to current observation and plate tectonic theory.
Goal of the CourseProvide students with principal deformation processes occurring in the lithosphere and their underlying causes.Learning OutcomesStudents successfully completing this course will:have an understanding of the basic principles of the mechanics and kinematics of rock deformation;be familiar with a range of common deformational structures, their classification, terminology and the way in which they are associated in the principal tectonic regimes generated by primary plate interactions and gravitational processes; andbe able to apply a range of standard techniques to the analysis of geologic structures. have developed a fuller understanding of the nature of plate tectonics, the structure of the Earth’s crust and interior;develop an understanding of the basic principles of global geophysics in the fields of seismicity, magnetism, isostasy and heat flow, and their relationship to plate tectonics and the structure of the Earth’s interior.Summary of the Course ContentThe topics coved by this course are:Structural Geology (kinematic analysis, brittle and ductile deformation, stress and strain, description of major deformation structures)Global Geophysics (forces that drive plate motion and thus cause major deformation structures in the lithosphere).
GEOL111 and GEOL112, or, with a B+ average, ora standard acceptable to the Head of Department, GEOL113 may be substituted for GEOL111 or GEOL112.
GEOL233, GEOL236
Jarg Pettinga and Andy Nicol
Dyk Eusden (Erskine Visiting Professor)
Cox, Allan , Hart, Robert Brian; Plate tectonics : how it works ; Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1986.
Davis & Reynolds; Structural Geology of Rocks and Regions ; 3rd; Wiley, 2012.
Fossen, Haakon; Structural geology ; Cambridge University Press, 2010.
Fowler, C. M. R; The solid earth : an introduction to global geophysics ; 2nd ed; Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Leyshon, Peter R. , Lisle, Richard J; Stereographic projection techniques in structural geology ; Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.
Marshak, Stephen , Mitra, Gautam; Basic methods of structural geology ; Prentice Hall, 1988.
Price, Neville J., Cosgrove, J. W. (John W.); Analysis of geologic structures ; Cambridge University Press, 1990.
Ragan, Donal M; Structural geology : an introduction to geometrical techniques ; 3rd ed; Wiley, 1985.
Twiss, Robert J., Moores, Eldridge M; Structural geology ; W H Freeman, 1992.
Van der Pluijm, Ben A. , Marshak, Stephen; Earth structure : an introduction to structural geology and tectonics ; 2nd ed; W.W. Norton, 2004.
Additional reading will be required, and references will be provided, by the individual lecturers during the course.
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Relationship to other courses:GEOL244 (along with GEOL240 and GEOL241) is required for entry into GEOL352 Advanced Field Mapping.
Marks and GradesThe Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:100 – 90 A+ 74 – 70 B 54 – 50 C-89 – 85 A 69 – 65 B- 49 – 40 D84 – 80 A- 64 – 60 C+ Below 40 E79 – 75 B+ 59 – 55 C The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.Late WorkIt is the policy for this course that late work is not accepted. Or, late work should be accompanied with a detailed explanation of why the work is late. The work will be marked and marks will be subtracted for each day the work is late. Days late include week-end and holidays. Academic LiaisonChristopher Oze (room 329, HUchristopher.oze@canterbury.ac.nzUH, is in charge of liaison with students in geology courses. Each year level will appoint a student representative(s) to the liaison committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to the Academic Liaison or the student rep about any problems or concerns that you might have.Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities should speak with someone at Disability Resource Service. Their office is room 317 in the Rutherford Building. Phone: 364 2350 (or ext. 6350), email: disabilities@canterbury.ac.nzPolicy on Dishonest PracticePlagiarism, collusion, copying and ghost writing are unacceptable and dishonest practices.• Plagiarism is the presentation of any material (text, data, figures or drawings, on any medium including computer files) from any other source without clear and adequate acknowledgement of the source.• Collusion is the presentation of work performed in conjunction with another person or persons, but submitted as if it has been completed only by the names author(s). • Copying is the use of material (in any medium, including computer files) produced by another person(s) with or without their knowledge and approval.• Ghost writing is the use of another person(s) (with or without payment) to prepare all or part of an item submitted for assessment. In cases where dishonest practice is involved in tests or other work submitted for credit, the student will be referred to the University Proctor. The instructor may choose to not mark the work. Reconsideration of GradesStudents should, in the first instance, speak to the course co-ordinator about their marks. If they cannot reach an agreeable solution, students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Students can appeal any decision made on their final grade. You can apply at the Registry to appeal the final grade within 4 weeks of the end of the semester. Be aware that there are time limits for each step of the appeals process. Aegrotat ApplicationsIf you feel that illness, injury, bereavement or other critical circumstances has prevented you from completing an item of assessment or affected your performance, you should complete an aegrotat application form, available from the Registry or the Student Health and Counselling Service. This should be within seven days of the due date for the required work or the date of the examination. In the case of illness or injury, medical consultation should normally have taken place shortly before or within 24 hours after the due date for the required work, or the date of the test or examination. For further details on aegrotat applications, please refer to the Enrolment Handbook. You have the right to appeal any decision made, including aegrotat decisions. Missing of TestsIn rare cases a student will not be able to sit a test. In such cases, the student should consult with the course co-ordinator or the Head of the Department of Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test.
Lectures and Laboratories:Week # Week starting Lecture topics Lecturer Laboratory29 13th July Introduction to course; rock material properties: stress-strain behavior AN/DE Geometric analysis I30 20th July Stress-strain behaviour (cont.); forces and stresses AN/DE Geometric analysis II31 27th July Forces and stresses (cont.); rock fracturing and faulting AN/DE Geometric analysis III32 3rd Aug Rock fracturing and faulting (cont.); folds, cleavage, lineations AN/DE Stereographic analysis 33 10th Aug Folds, cleavage, lineations (cont.) AN/DE Stereographic analysis and rock deformation 34 17th Aug 3D-Strain, Ductile shear zones, Shear-sense indicators AN/DE Shear zone analysis 35 24th Aug Break 36 31st Aug Break 37 7th Sept Introduction to kinematic analysis, 2D-strain AN Strain analysis38 14th Sept Evolution of brittle shear zones AN Structural styles of deformation39 21st Sept Kinematic analysis AN Balanced sections 40 28th Sept Structural analysis and regional tectonics AN/JRP Strain analysis and cross sections41 5th Oct Seismic waves in the Earth JRP Epicentre location42 12th Oct Geophysics & tectonics; Geoid and isostasy JRP Mass balance & isostasy
Domestic fee $808.00
International fee $3,638.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 30 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .