EES253/253W/453 Geodynamics
Plate Boundary Processes
4 credits
Fall Semester
Mon/Wed 12:30-13:45
Course Aims and Objectives
The broad aims of the course are to teach students to
Make observations and interpret data from plate boundary settings
Design simple physical models to compare with observations
Evaluate process in compressional, extensional, and strike-slip plate tectonic settings
The first part of the class introduces students to general principles of plate tectonic processes. The second part of the course will emphasise ‘quantitative’ geology, and teach the basic components of current basin modelling approaches.
Lectures contain theory and examples of active plate boundaries illustrating the processes.
Prerequisites: EES101 or 111. I assume a general understanding of partial differential equations (Math 163), although this is not a prerequisite.
The objectives of practicals are defined on each practical handout.
Course Skills
The lectures and practicals are designed to teach students how to take a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving. Students will apply skills gained in lower level classes to critically evaluate 1) current models for the mechanisms of plate deformation, and 2) the methodologies used to test to current models.
Students will integrate remote sensing, seismic reflection, seismicity, GPS, InSAR, gravity, paleomagnetic data to assess plate structure in time and space. Additional outcomes are a thorough appreciation of the strengths and pitfalls of geological and geophysical data, and including assessment of potential errors or ambiguities in interpretations. By the end of the course, we would expect students to 1) use theory and analogy to identify the key unknowns in tectonic analyses in a range of settings; 2) outline a data acquisition and analysis strategy for a range of tectonic problems; 3) apply geological and geophysical methods to jointly interpret multiple data sets.
Course Assessment
253: Five practicals will be assessed, and the top 4 marks will be counted in the final grade. A mid-term (20%) and final exam together count for 50% of the course. The exam formats will be a choice of 2 of 3 essay questions, plus some short answer questions.
253W: Five practicals will be assessed, and the top 4 marks will be counted in the final grade. An essay on a plate boundary setting of the students’ choice contributes 15%. A mid-term (20%) and final exam together count for 50% of the course. The exam formats will be a choice of 2 of 3 essay questions, plus some short answer questions.
453: Five practicals will be assessed. Each counts 10%. A mid-term (20%) and final exam together count for 50% of the course. The exam formats will be a choice of 2 of 3 essay questions that are more comprehensive than those of 253, plus some short answer questions.
NB: I will expect some knowledge of the current literature for students to achieve an A-grade for 253; this is essential for 453.
Textbooks and Reading
Primary Text:
Turcotte, D., and G. Schubert, Geodynamics, Wiley, 1982.
Plate settings: There are few current texts at an appropriate level for the fast-moving field of plate tectonics, so reading will focus on current research papers in Geology, GJI, Tectonics, Earth Planetary Sciences, and J Geophys Res
Review:
Cox, and Hart, Plate Tectonics: How it Works, Blackwell, 1986.