Metamorphic and Structural Geology EARTH4073

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 30
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

An understanding of the formation and interpretation of metamorphic and deformed rocks with associated field techniques.

Timetable

Three classes per week for 4 weeks (1.5 hr lecture and 1.5 hr lab per class - held as workshops). Four days of a 1-week residential UK-based field class. Two local one day field classes.

Requirements of Entry

Normally completion of all credit-bearing courses from Earth Science Level 2 at an average Grade C3 or better, achieving at least a Grade of D3 in each individual course and attendance at the residential field class.

Excluded Courses

EARTH4017 - Metamorphic Petrology

EARTH4025 - Structural Geology

Assessment

Written exam (50%); integrated practical exercise (25%); portfolio of field based activities and report(25%).

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

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Course Aims

To develop students' understanding of structural and metamorphic processes and the response of rocks to changing P-T conditions and deformation. To develop skill sets to independently interpret metamorphic conditions and structural features from both practical and field examples.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Identify parent rock types, estimate metamorphic conditions and assess the cause of metamorphism for a variety of metamorphic rocks.

■ Interpret rock textures to assess deformation mechanisms, shear sense indicators and mineral reactions 

■ Interpret metamorphic phase diagrams and explain their significance to petrology.

■ Explain the role of fluids in metamorphic reactions and their influence on deformation mechanisms.

■ Critically discuss the structural and metamorphic characteristics of a range of tectonic environments, the determination of the ages of such tectono-thermal events, and associated variations in metamorphic grade.

■ Critically apply a wide range of skills that enable the use of structures in the field to quantify tectono-metamorphic relations and faulting during mapping.

■ Discuss three-dimensional stress geometries and apply failure criteria to critically evaluate the stability of rock masses.  

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.