Tephra, Environment and People (U00405)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : GEO-3-TEPHRA

The course is focussed on the origins, dispersal and environmental/cultural impacts of volcanic ash or tephra. An assessment of volcanic activity and the production of tephras provides the underpinning to a discussion of tephrochronology and 3-D environmental reconstruction using tephra layers. Detailed studies of tephra layers in Iceland are used to explore environmental change and human interactions with the environment. The teleconnections between tephra layers, ice cores, tree rings and ocean cores are assessed and compared to ideas about the widespread impacts of volcanic eruptions on culture and society. Change in marginal systems in Scotland is used to illustrate the context in which volcanic impacts are thought to occur.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Geography, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Other subject areas

Environmental Courses, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
08/01/2008	14:00	15:50	Room 4.09, Old Infirmary (Geography)	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To understand the principles and practice of tephrochronology.

To evaluate the use of tephra isochrones to reconstruct environmental change and their role in archaeology.

To use tephrochronology to assess (i) volcano-environment interactions, (ii) human-environment interactions (iii) impacts of volcanism on people, culture and society.

Assess concepts of marginality and change.

To undertake an independent project, including fieldwork and related analysis.