Overview
Understand sedimentary basin formation, resource accumulation and carbon cycling using paleoenvironmental and microfossil analysis, geophysical imaging of stratigraphy, and sequence and basin history modelling.
“Basins” introduces students to the geology (especially stratigraphy and history) of sedimentary basins. There is significant emphasis on fossils (for dating and paleoenvironmental study) and sedimentary rocks (paleoenvironments). Lab and field work will complement lecture topics, to integrate theory and practice in basin studies, and will include problem-solving using real examples. The course will give a sound basis for understanding the geological history of basins at the local, regional and international level. Broader topics considered are case studies on New Zealand and international basins, microfossils as tools in dating and paleoenvironmental analysis, Cretaceous/Cenozoic stratigraphy, principles of basin evolution, subsurface (e.g. seismic) techniques, hydrocarbon development within a basin, and geohistory analysis.
About this paper
| Paper title | Paleoenvironments and Basin Evolution |
|---|---|
| Subject | Geology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,243.65 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- EAOS 111 and/or GEOL 112 and/or MARI papers, and 72 200-level points from Science Schedule C
- Restriction
- GEOL 263
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
Background requirements: Basic knowledge of stratigraphy, mapping, sedimentology and paleontology.
GEOL263 is for students in their second year of a geology or equivalent degree. GEOL363 is for students in their third year of a geology or equivalent degree.- Contact
- geology@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Coordinator: Assoc Prof Andrew Gorman
Dr Christina Riesselman- Paper Structure
Topics covered:
- Introduction to New Zealand basins: Canterbury basin and Taranaki basin - sequences and settings, tools for study.
- Micropaleontology and stratigraphy: foraminifera - recognition, classification; characters and case study applications of; biostratigraphy and correlation; paleoenvironmental analysis; other microfossil groups; chronostratigraphic sections, graphic correlation, integrated stratigraphy (bio-, magneto-, oxygen, strontium etc).
- Genetic stratigraphy: genetic stratigraphic units - sequence stratigraphy; seismic, downhole, and related approaches.
- Petroleum: hydrocarbon geochemistry, formation, migration; overpressuring; reservoirs; organic maturity; petroleum occurrences in New Zealand and elsewhere.
- Basins and geohistory analysis: basin evolution - tectonic settings, processes, and examples; broader pictures - deducing past history; theory and practice of backstripping techniques; simple thermal analyses of maturation.
- Teaching Arrangements
Two lectures and one 3-hour laboratory per week.
Fieldwork: One weekend day trip to North Otago and another trip to be determined.- Textbooks
Lectures will refer to varied general texts and to research articles, supplemented by handouts. There is no one required text for the course, but we strongly recommend you read relevant chapters in:
Boggs, S. 2000. Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy . 3rd edition. Prentice Hall, 726 p.
You should also read relevant sections in the Encylopedia of Geology, accessible under E-journals/E-books via the Library web page.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students should gain an understanding of:
- The variety and origins of hydrocarbon basins in and around New Zealand and beyond
- The roles of litho- and biostratigraphy, paleoecology (depositional settings, emphasising stratigraphy and outcrop-level sedimentology), seismic imaging and basin modelling in hydrocarbon basin analysis will be examined
- Assessment details
Assessment is approximately an even split between internal (ongoing during the semester) and external (final exam).
Assessments for GEOL363 are set and graded differently to GEOL263 to reflect greater background knowledge and higher expectations of students taking the paper at 300-level.