Marine Geophysics and Geodynamics (U03060)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : GEO-4-MARINE

Seismic methods bathymetric surveying, side-scan sonar; normal-incidence seismic reflection, wide-angle seismic reflection and refraction, and natural seismicity studies. These are illustrated with examples from the East Pacific Rise, US continental margin, Hawaiian Islands and Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Magnetic methods include surface ship and near-bottom measurements and are illustrated with a study of sea floor spreading processes from the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The section on heat flow tracks the development of the method from the use of single to multiple entry probes and uses evidence for hydrothermal circulation in the oceanic crust as an illustration. Gravity studies include an understanding of how marine gravimeters work and the various environmental conditions that affect them. An example of 'bulls eye' gravity anomalies from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is discussed. Finally, and briefly, computer-based data acquisition and processing on board ship is described.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Hydrocarbons, Structural Geology; OR Year 3 of BSc (Hons) Geophysics.

? Costs : None.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Earth Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

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

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) per week for 9 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:00	09:50	KB

? Additional Class Information : Mon 0900 0950 (weeks 1 to 9), plus additional reading.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Marine Geophysics and Geodynamics is the use of geophysical exploration methods to study geological problems of the ocean floor. Problems range from very practical ones, such as surveying offshore waste dumps or seismic exploration for hydrocarbons, to more curiousity-driven studies of mid-ocean ridge processes or subduction. Some theoretical background to methodologies will given, but the emphasis of the course is on geophysical methods and geological problems.