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| Unit name |
Global Geophysics |
| Unit code |
EASC30064 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Juliet Biggs |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
|
| Co-requisites |
N/A
|
| School/department |
School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
The Earth is a dynamic system that is driven by heat escaping from the planet. The objective of this unit is to learn how the process works and its relationship to the Earth's physical and chemical structure.
The course will address the initial development of the Earth and its evolution to the present mode of heat transport: convection in the mantle and core. This convection drives phenomena such as the geomagnetic field and plate tectonics. The structure and motion of the plates will be analysed and put into a regional context through exploration of various key tectonic settings.
The unit will consider how tectonic setting influences the constitution of metamorphic and igneous rocks, and this topic will be explored through the concepts of chemical equilibrium, the phase rule, and crystallization from liquids. Through this framework, students will be introduced to some of the fundamental discussion and debates in tectonic and geodynamic research today.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
- understand the structure and properties of tectonic plates
- explain the principles of isostasy and flexure and apply them to a variety of tectonic settings
- use Matlab to produce simple numerical models and compare them to real data (e.g. seafloor bathymetry)
- explain the relationships among various tectonic settings and the characteristics of the associated rocks
- apply qualitative and quantitative approaches to explain the compositional variety of igneous rock suites
- use geochemical observations to deduce information about mantle structure and dynamics
- evaluate the importance of various energy sources in driving Earth’s planetary evolution
- apply physical principles and solve simple differential equations to estimate temperature, pressure and density profiles in terrestrial planets
- describe geophysical and other evidence supporting the current understanding of Earth’s interior structure and processes including convection, geomagnetism, heat flow and phase changes
- research a related topic and give a short oral presentation based on your research
Teaching Information
The unit will be taught through a combination of
- asynchronous online materials and, if subsequently possible, synchronous face-to-face lectures
- synchronous office hours
- asynchronous directed individual formative activities and exercises
- guided, structured reading
- practical work in the laboratory
Students who either begin or continue their studies in an online mode may be required to complete laboratory work, or alternative activities, in person, either during the academic year 2020/21 or subsequently, in order to meet the intended learning outcomes for the unit, prepare them for subsequent units or to satisfy accreditation requirements.
Assessment Information
End-of-unit timed open-book examination (100%)
Reading and References
Recommended:
- (TS) Turcotte & Schubert (1982 or 2002). Geodynamics. Cambridge Press.
- (SW) Stein & Wysession (2003). An introduction to seismology, earthquakes and earth structure. Blackwell Publishing.
- (PA) Philpotts, A. and Ague, J. (2009). Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Cambridge.
- (KV) Kearey, P., Klepis, K.A., and Vine, F.J., (2009), Global Tectonics, Wiley-Blackwell.
- (F) Fowler, C.M.R., (2004), The Solid Earth, An Introduction to Global Geophysics. Cambridge University Press
