625-224 Tectonics

Special Requirements: Geological hammer, hand lens and magnet. Consult the departmental noticeboard for dates, charges for excursions, accommodation and food, which will be fixed as early as possible in the first semester.

Earth sciences 625-222 and 625-223 are recommended.

This subject will evaluate the tectonic processes that operate to create mountain belts and ocean basins. Topics include mechanical aspects of rock deformation, stress and strain behaviour of materials, descriptive treatment of strain folds and cleavage, examination of deformed rocks in the laboratory and in the field; response of rocks to elevated temperature and pressure, the equilibrium metamorphic model and the facies concept, metamorphic rocks in thin section and in hand specimen, the relationship between mineral assemblages in metamorphic rocks and their conditions of formation; the evolution of pressure, temperature and deformation in orogeny; the acquisition, inversion and interpretation of magnetic, gravity and seismic data in tectonics contexts; and field mapping, including individual mapping projects.

On completion of this subject, students should have acquired an understanding of the effects of elevated pressure, temperature and stress on rocks; be able to recognise, describe and interpret rocks formed as a consequence of these effects in the laboratory and in the field; and understand their application in establishing and testing tectonic models.

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination; a 2-hour practical examination or reports totalling up to 1500 words; a 5-page field report.