GEOL479-16S1 (C) Semester One 2016

Active Tectonics and Geomorphology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 22 February 2016
End Date: Sunday, 26 June 2016
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 6 March 2016
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 22 May 2016

Description

Active deformation is explored in this course, introducing the criteria by which active deformation can be identified and located. The emphasis is on the interaction between tectonic and other geomorphic processes in shaping the landscape and the way in which the nature of the underlying deformation can be identified and quantified from an analysis of topography.

This course explores the interactions between the tectonic activity that build topography and the surface processes that modify and destroy it. We will explore why the Earth’s surface has the shape that it does and how the nature of sub-surface deformation can be identified and quantified from an analysis of surface deposits and topography. Lectures will draw on the fields of structural geology, field mapping, seismology, geomorphology, geodesy, geophysics, and geochronological dating techniques to understand the origin and evolution of landscapes in New Zealand and beyond. Assessment will be based on in-term exercises and assignments.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students successfully completing this course will:
  • Have a general understanding of the interactions between tectonic and geomorphic processes, particularly the response to active folding and faulting.
  • Have a general knowledge of the range of techniques used to investigate active deformation processes.
  • Have some knowledge of techniques appropriate for dating active tectonic events and resulting landforms.
  • Acquire a basic understanding of hillslope processes and the various forcing factors driving the geomorphic responses
  • Be aware of current research trends.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Timetable Note

Schedule of Lecture hours, field trips and Location:

Lecture Times: This course runs in 2 hour time slots once a week – Mondays 9-11am (S1).
Location:  -  von Haast room 456

Field trip 1:  -  Hope fault at Glynn Wye, North Canterbury - 19th March 2016
Field trip 2:   -  Culverden Basin or Castle Hill Basin - 7th May 2016



Week #  -  Dates  -  Lectures *  -  2 hour sessions  -  Lecturer

9  -  22nd Feb  -  Introduction to course; Tectonic geomorphology, climate change as a driver in landscape evolution; climatic and tectonic forcing; models for landscape development.  -  JRP
10  -  29th Feb  -  Geomorphic markers and examples: planar and linear geomorphic markers; NZ examples  -  JRP
11  -  7th March Establishing time lines and timing of “events” in landscapes  -  JRP
12  -  14th March  -  Earthquakes as a structural geomorphic process  -  JRP
12  -  19th March  -  Field trip to Hope fault at Glynn Wye, North Canterbury
(combined trip with GEOL473)  -  JRP/AN
13  -  21st March  -  Earthquakes and Paleoseismology  -  JRP
14  -  30th March  -  Long-term rates of uplift and erosion I.  Cosmogenic and radiometric methods; Apatite fission track dating  -  PF
15  -  4th April  -  Long-term rates of uplift and erosion II.  Uplift history of mountains - case studies.  -  PF

BREAK

19  -  2nd May  -  Late Pleistocene and Holocene landscape responses to climate change and tectonic deformation  -  JRP
19  -  7th May  -  Field trip to either Leonard Mound and Hawarden Anticline or Craigieburn Rangefront, Castle Hill Basin  -  JRP
20  -  9th May  -  Landscape evolution case study:  the Hikurangi margin forearc subduction zone   -  JRP
21  -  16th May Landscape evolution case study:  Tectonics and landslide complexes – our crustal superstructure  -  JRP
22  -  23rd May  -  Landscape evolution case study:  Oblique-slip active tectonics in the NE South Island plate boundary transfer zone  -  JRP
23  -  30th May  -  Landscape evolution case study:  NZ submarine geomorphology – selected topics  -  JM

* The above schedule is subject to some amendments dependent of staff availability and overall course planning.

Course Coordinator

For further information see School of Earth and Environment Head of Department

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Active Faulting and Geomorphology Exercise 15% Active Faulting and Geomorphology Exercise
Lidar Interpretation Exercise 15% Lidar Interpretation Exercise
Review report on selected topic in tectonic geomorphology 30% Review report on selected topic in tectonic geomorphology
Field Mapping Exercise and Questions 20% Field Mapping Exercise and Questions
Field Mapping Exercise and Questions 20% Field Mapping Exercise and Questions

Course links

Library portal

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Marks and Grades
The Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:
100 – 90 A+ 75 – 79 B+ 60 – 64 C+
89 – 85 A 70 – 74 B 55 – 59 C
84 – 80 A- 65 – 69 B- 50 – 54 C-
Below 50 D/E
The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.

Late Work
Late work should be accompanied with a short note explaining 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-ends and holidays.

Aegrotat Applications
If 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 Tests
In 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 Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test, unless the situation is covered by the aegrotat regulations.

Reconsideration of Grades
• Grades for individual items of coursework may be reassessed, and in the first instance students should speak with the course coordinator. If an agreeable solution cannot be reached students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Reconsideration should normally be requested within 4 weeks of the test or the return of the item of assessment.
• Grade reconsideration for courses as a whole can be obtained by applying to the Registry within 4 weeks of the date of publication of the final results. Students should refer to UC Calendar under general course and examination regulations for details of the appeal process.

Academic Liaison
Tom Brookman and Tim Stahl currently share the Chairperson role on the Postgraduate Liaison Committee. A student representative is appointed to the Liaison Committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to Tom, Tim or the student representative about any problems or concerns that you might have.

Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should speak with someone at the Disability Resource Service. Inquire in the first instance at Level 3 Rutherford Building  Email: disability@canterbury.ac.nz

Policy on Dishonest Practice
Plagiarism, 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 named 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.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,006.00

* 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.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOL479 Occurrences

  • GEOL479-16S1 (C) Semester One 2016