Earth Dynamics (U01208)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : GEO-1-ED

Volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain chains and the diversity of the Earth's rocks tell us that the Earth has been a dynamic planet since its formation 4.6 billion years ago. This course has two main aims: to impart an understanding of the processes which shape the Earth, and to develop practical skills in recognising the evidence of these processes in rocks, both in the field and in the laboratory. The course will have a primary focus on the materials of which the Earth is made, how the major constituents are distributed between core, mantle and crust and how this changes with time through the agencies of plate tectonics and volcanism. From this viewpoint of underlying process, the course will also consider the inherent availability of natural resources and the potential for predicting natural hazards.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : None. Earth Dynamics is an introductory course aimed primarily at science students without prior qualifications in Earth Sciences.

? Co-requisites : Usually taken with 'Evolution of Earth's Environments'

? Costs : NONE

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Earth Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Other subject areas

Environmental Courses, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 6 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
20/09/2006	10:00	10:50	Lecture Theatre 3, Appleton Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	10:00	10:50	Central
Lecture	Wednesday	10:00	10:50	Central
Laboratory	Wednesday	14:00	17:00	KB
Lecture	Friday	10:00	10:50	Central

1 of the following 4 classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Laboratory	Mo	11:10	12:00	KB
Laboratory	Tu	09:00	12:00	KB
Laboratory	Th	14:00	17:00	KB
Laboratory	Fr	14:00	17:00	KB

? Additional Class Information : Practical classes Mon 2-5pm or Tue 9-12noon, or Wed 2-5pm or Thur 2-5pm or Fri 2-5pm.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the formation of internal divisions within the earth and their dynamic evolution via plate tectonic processes
2. Recall the mechanisms of formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks
3. Identify common silicate minerals in hand speciment, outcrop and thin section
4. Interpret deep earth processes from geophysical data sets
5. Recount the processes by which rocks deform and break at depth in the earth