Unit name | Seismology |
---|---|
Unit code | EASCM0018 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Helffrich |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of third year of a Single Honours MSci Geology programme or A-level Mathematics |
Co-requisites |
n/a |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The course covers basic concepts in seismology and then applies them to the study of Earth structure. The basic concepts include the wave equation, ray theory, calculation of travel times and propogation distances, and the variation of amplitudes as waves propagate. Then a series of techniques are introduced to locate earthquakes, determine seismic wave speeds in the deep earth and to infer the types of movements that occur at plate boundaries. Finally, we summarise what is known about the deep Earth from seismology.
On completion you should be able to:
Lectures and practicals
There will be a half-hour test on the material covered in the course and a two hour closed examination. The practical work is 20% of the mark, the in-class test 40%, and the exam 40%.
Primary text: Shearer, P. M. "Introduction to seismology (second ed.)" (Cambridge); Supplemental topics from: Stein, S. and Wysession, M. "Introduction to seismology, earthquakes and earth structure" (Blackwells)