Unit information: Geology Fieldwork in 2012/13

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	Professor. Helffrich
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Successful completion of year 2 of Geology programme
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This 10 day field excursion to Scotland in the Easter Break 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 geology of Scotland.

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.

The field work includes a range of exercises on classic outcrops including:

• The Archean metamorphic rocks of the Lewisian.

• The continental red-beds of the Late Proterozoic Torridonian and the Devonian Old Red Sandstone.

• Major crustal discontinuities such as the HBF and Moine Thrust.

• The Barrovian metamorphic section at Glenesk.

Teaching Information

Fieldwork

Assessment Information

30% of the marks will be based on an assessment of field-note books. Another 40% will be based on a series of field exercises. A final 30% will be based on a summary geological history of Scotland 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 the students - these are not assessed but failure to adequately participate will result in deduction of marks. All work except the summary geological history will be handed in and marked on the trip. The deadline for the cross-section will be the first day of the summer term.

Reading and References

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