GEOL353 Earth Evolution and Plate Tectonics

Overview

Study planetary differentiation, composition and tectonic processes to learn how Earth has evolved from the formation of the Solar System to modern-day plate tectonics.

This paper explores tectonic systems and how these have shaped Earth, from the formation of the Solar System to modern-day plate tectonics. You will bring together data from different geological disciplines to address topics such as: planetary formation and differentiation, mantle convection, formation of continental and oceanic crust, the tectonics of Zealandia, the interaction of climate and tectonics, the rheology of the lithosphere, glacial isostatic adjustment, mountain building, heat transfer in Earth and magmatism in different tectonic settings.

About this paper

Prerequisite

EAOS 111 and/or GEO112, and 72 200-level points from Science Schedule C

Schedule C

Science

Notes

Students must be prepared to attend field trips outside of regular semester time.

Contact

geology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Coordinator;  Professor David J Prior

Paper Structure

Topics covered include:

• Earth composition: 
  • source of elements, supernova, interstellar nebulae, star formation and solar system development
  • geophysical investigations of the Earth's structure
  • geophysical and petrological perspective of planetary interiors
• Mechanical behaviour of Earth materials
• Heat transfer in Earth
• Lithospheric strength profiles 
• Isostasy, flexure and viscous mantle response
• Thermal evolution of orogenic belts 
• Numerical models of tectonic processes
• Climate & Tectonics: 
  • tectonics and atmospheric greenhouse gases
  • tectonics and ocean circulation
  • tectonics and sea level 
• Mantle melting: 
  • subducting slabs, structure, influence on mantle
  • oceanic lithosphere 
  • ocean island basalts, plumes 
  • large igneous provinces 
  • continental rifting and magmatism 
• Zealandia:
  • the case for the continent
  • events and processes 100-0 Ma
  • events and processes 500-100 Ma
• The Southern Alps and the Alpine Fault

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures and one lab per week
Optional tutorials
One fieldtrip

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Course outline

GEOL353 Tectonics outline (previous syllabus indicative of course content next time the paper is offered)

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Specific learning outcomes are:

• Integrated and quantitative understanding of tectonic systems and tectonic processes
• Problem-solving skills
• Quantitative skills
• Teamwork skills

Overview

Study planetary differentiation, composition and tectonic processes to learn how Earth has evolved from the formation of the Solar System to modern-day plate tectonics.

This paper explores tectonic systems and how these have shaped Earth, from the formation of the Solar System to modern-day plate tectonics. You will bring together data from different geological disciplines to address topics such as: planetary formation and differentiation, mantle convection, formation of continental and oceanic crust, the tectonics of Zealandia, the interaction of climate and tectonics, the rheology of the lithosphere, glacial isostatic adjustment, mountain building, heat transfer in Earth and magmatism in different tectonic settings.

About this paper

Prerequisite

EAOS 111 and/or GEO112, and 72 200-level points from Science Schedule C

Schedule C

Science

Notes

Students must be prepared to attend field trips outside of regular semester time.

Contact

geology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Professor David J Prior

Paper Structure

Topics covered include:

• Earth composition:
  • Source of elements, supernova, interstellar nebulae, star formation and solar system development
  • Geophysical investigations of the Earth's structure
  • Geophysical and petrological perspective of planetary interiors
• Mechanical behaviour of Earth materials
• Heat transfer in Earth
• Lithospheric strength profiles
• Isostasy, flexure and viscous mantle response
• Thermal evolution of orogenic belts
• Numerical models of tectonic processes
• Climate and Tectonics:
  • Tectonics and atmospheric greenhouse gases
  • Tectonics and ocean circulation
  • Tectonics and sea level
• Mantle melting:
  • Subducting slabs, structure, influence on mantle
  • Oceanic lithosphere
  • Ocean Island basalts, plumes
  • Large igneous provinces
  • Continental rifting and magmatism
• Zealandia:
  • The case for the continent
  • Events and processes 100-0 Ma
  • Events and processes 500-100 Ma
• The Southern Alps and the Alpine Fault

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures and one lab per week.

Optional tutorials.

One fieldtrip.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Course outline

View the GEOL 353 Tectonics course outline (previous syllabus indicative of course content next time the paper is offered).

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Specific learning outcomes are:

• Integrated and quantitative understanding of tectonic systems and tectonic processes.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Quantitative skills.
• Teamwork skills.