Courses: GEOV210 Plate Tectonics - Autumn 2017

Credits

10.0

Language of Instruction

English

Teaching semester

Autumn

Objectives and Content

From a geological perspective, we may consider the Earth¿s outer part to be made up of isolated entities with dynamically active perimeters and large relative horizontal movements. The course presents an introduction to the physical criteria used to define the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the plates and how we can directly measure plate surface motion today and in the geologic past. The course describes the most important geological processes taking part in the three principal types of plate boundaries and demonstrates the connection to large scale geological structures below the oceans and dynamics of mountain building on the continents.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the course GEOV210, the student should be able to:

- describe the characteristics of a geological plate

- explain the methods which are used to document relative plate motion

- describe the most important geological processes at the plate boundaries

- analyse large scale geological events such as rifting of continents and formation of mountain chains in light of plate tectonic movements.

Required Previous Knowledge

Principles of geology and physics of the earth.

Forms of Assessment

Written, 4 hours

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Contact Information

Student adviser, Department of Earth Science, E-mail: studiekonsulent@geo.uib.no