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Unit information: Geology Fieldwork in 2015/16

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Unit name Geology Fieldwork
Unit code EASC30006
Credit points 10
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Dr. Parkinson
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

Successful completion of year 2 of a Geology programme (BSc or MSci)

Co-requisites

N/A

School/department School of Earth Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This 10 day field excursion will put into practice skills acquired throughout the course to classic geological localities

Aims:

  • To develop further observational, recording and deductive skills in the field.
  • To become familiar with the geology of the British Isles, particularly up to the end of the Palaeozoic.
  • To understand large-scale crustal structure as illustrated by the local geology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the field class you will be able to:

  • Make mineralogical and structural observations and interpretations in high-grade gneisses and amphibolite-facies shear zones.
  • Make detailed observations of sedimentary rocks, including accurate logs, and to interpret these data in terms of sedimentary environments, current directions, provenance etc.
  • Interpret the mineralogy, map metamorphic grade, and understand the chemical changes in a classic Barrovian metamorphic section.
  • Construct cross-sections across major fault zones, such as the Moine Thurst and the Highland Boundary Fault (HBF).
  • Inter-relate information determined in the field to that obtained from maps and other reference material.
  • Synthesise information on a range of scales in the field to develop models of geological history.

Teaching Information

Fieldwork

Assessment Information

30% of the marks will be based on an assessment of field-note books, 40% will be based on a series of field exercises and the final 30% will be based on a summary geological history for the period covered on the trip with specific reference to the locations visited and observations made on the trip. There will be evening presentations and discussion by students - these are not assessed but failure to adequately participate will result in deduction of marks.

Reading and References

N.H. Trewin (ed), 2002, The Geology of Scotland, 4th edition, London, Geological Society, 576 pp.

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