Undergraduate Course: Dynamic Stratigraphy (EASC10097)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course provides an up-to-date overview of the main controls on the tectonic, sedimentary, igenous and metamorphic history of the British Isles. The lecture series will provide a broad overview of the UK stratigraphy within its global paleogeogrpahic context. |
| Course description |
Lectures
1. Introduction to dynamic stratigraphy, course objectives, revision of the principles of stratigraphy (bio, chrono and litho) and basin analysis along with a summary of the Precambrian of the UK within its palaeographic context
2. Cambrian-Ordovician of UK within palaeographic context
3. Silurian-Devonian.
4. Carboniferous and Permian-Triassic.
5. Jurassic and Cretaceous.
6. Cenozoic - Paleogene and Neogene and Quaternary - Pleistocene and Holocene.
Practicals
1. UK continental drift through time ¿ selection of hand specimens representing the paleogeography of UK through time through each period ¿ focus on depositional environment
2. Analysis of origin of the Torridonian succession in NW Scotland formation
- Traditional analysis of the origins of the Stoer, Sleet and Torridon Groups
- Comparison of recent data on ages from detrital zircons (Kinnaird et al. 1007)
3. Snowball Earth ¿ was it one snowball or several slush balls?
Intro video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/earth/earth_timeline/snowball_earth#p00cgy7m
- Evidence in the Dalraidian of the UK ¿ McCay 2006 Geology Paper and others
4. Lower carboniferous basin development ¿ Yorkshire/Derby basin
- Mapping out the shift from shale to carbonate in lower carb, shales in basins, limestones in high blocks
5. Jurassic thermal doming of the North Sea
- using well log data from North Sea map out the unconformity which resulted from the thermal doming of the North Sea during the Jurassic
- based on Underhill and Partington, 1993 Jurassic thermal doming and deflation in the North Sea, Petroleum Geology
6. Triggering of Heinrich events ¿ Quaternary record from the North Atlantic
- Traditional interpretation as a result of internal Laurentide Ice-sheet oscillations
- More recent work shows climatic precursor which triggers events
Field Trip
One day trip either to Stonehaven to see Highland Boundary Fault and Highland Border complex or Ballantrae to see the ophiolite complex.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Global Tectonics and Sedimentology (EASC08019)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 45 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 14,
Fieldwork Hours 6,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
68 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 70%, Course Work: 30 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
Students will prepare a single page synoptic event diagram summarising the major geological events shown by the rocks observed on the one-day field trip to Ballentrae (to be held 14th March 2015). |
| Feedback |
Formative feedback will occur throughout the practical sessions and during the field trip. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- The broad, integrated knowledge of the stratigraphical, structural, sedimentological, palaeo-geographical and geological history of the British Isles set into its European context and detailed knowledge of the Precambrian and Phanerozoic history of the British Isles.
- A critical understanding of the principles of stratigraphy (with and without fossils) and basin analysis.
- An analysis of Quaternary events and an understanding of the economic potential of rocks.
- Enhance specialist knowledge and understanding, including a range of established techniques and research methodologies.
- Interpret, use and evaluate a wide range of specialist data.
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Reading List
Geological History of Britain and Ireland, 2nd edition, Nigel Woodcock and Rob Strachan, 2012
Geology and Landscapes of Scotland, Con Gillen, 2003
Basin Analysis, Principles and Applications, 2nd Edition, Philip A. Allen and John R. Allan |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lectures on Mondays at 14:10-15:00, Weeks 6-11.
Laboratory sessions on Mondays at 15:10-17:00, Weeks 5-11.
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| Keywords | Dynamic Stratigraphy |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stuart Gilfillan
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Ken O'Neill
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: |
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