introduction to earth science 2

Introduction to Structural
Geology
Laurel Goodwin
Basil Tikoff
Paul Riley



Structural Geology vs.
Tectonics
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Tectonics - how Earth
was built
Broader than
Structural geology
Encompassing study
of surface to core
Including disciplines
as diverse as
paleontology and
geophysics

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Structural geology deformation

processes
Integral part of
tectonics, particularly
in respect to
deformation history
over time


Components of classwork
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40% exams (10% each midterm, 20% final
exam)
35% lab
15% writing assignments
10% concept maps


Motivation: concepts of a
professional practice
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Report writing

Oral presentations
Problem identification / problem solving
Thinking under pressure
Ethics / professional responsibility


Important dates
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Italics & bold on syllabus
Asterisks indicate chapters for which concept
maps are required
Items due at the beginning of class or lab
Please note times of exams and field trips
VARK learning styles analysis - Due this Friday
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/>ionnaire
Google VARK


Class Mantra
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Observations separate from interpretations

Challenges
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Geology is a forensic science. We must look at
deformation from an historical viewpoint.
We have to consider a wide range of spatial
scales.
We work on a variety of time-scales, from those
required for an earthquake to those that form
mountain belts.
3D visualization is critical


The Earth as a cooling body
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Formed by accretion 4.55 Ga
Cooling by conduction, radiation, advection
Advective cooling drives plate tectonics
The distribution of rocks, of temperature, and of

deformation on the planet all determined by
plate tectonics.