Introduction to Structural Geology

Laurel Goodwin

Basil Tikoff

Paul Riley

Structural Geology vs. Tectonics Tectonics - how Earth

was built Broader than

Structural geology Encompassing study

of surface to core Including disciplines

as diverse as paleontology and geophysics

Structural geology - deformation processes

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

Components of classwork

40% exams (10% each midterm, 20% final exam)

35% lab 15% writing assignments 10% concept maps

Motivation: concepts of a professional practice

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

Important dates 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

http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

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Class Mantra

Observations separate from interpretations

Challenges 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

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.