Global Geophysics
10 credits
Syllabus, Master's level, 1GE009
A revised version of the syllabus is available.
- Code
- 1GE009
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Earth Science A1N, Physics A1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 15 March 2007
- Responsible department
- Department of Earth Sciences
Entry requirements
40 credit points/60 credits geoscience + 10 credit points/15 credits mathematics + 10 credit points/15 credits physics (or equivalent background)
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student should
- understand the basic configurations of plate boundaries and how they may develop through time on a flat and a spherical earth
- understand the role of the Earth's magnetic field in deciphering past plate motions
- be able to describe isostatic compensation and calculate Earth's responses to simple loads
- be able to describe the difference between compressional waves, shear waves and surface waves and explain how these wave types can be used to extract information about the elastic properties of the Earth's interior
- be able to calculate travel-time curves for simple Earth's structures
- be able to explain how earthquakes are located and how they can be categorised into strike-slip, normal and thrust faulting on the basis of worldwide observations.
- understand the principal ways in which waves are transmitted, reflected and refracted in the whole earth and explain the major constitution of the Earth's interior
- understand the equations describing convection in the Earth's mantle and describe the major forces acting on the surface plates.
- be able to describe how movements in the metallic outer core can sustain the Earth's magnetic field in time and space
- be able to explain in some detail how geophysical studies of Earth's subduction zones and mid-oceanic ridges can unravel the processes of deformation, heating and melting.
- be able to explain in some detail how geophysical studies of sedimentary basins and continental margins have added to the understanding of their formation.
Content
Plate tectonics. The Earth's magnetic field and palaeomagnetism. The formation of the Earth. Dating methods. The Earth's shape and gravity field, the geoid, isostasy. Seismicity, source mechanisms, stress field. Heat flow in continents and oceans. Convection in the Earth's mantle and core. The composition of the Earth. Structure of and processes forming oceanic and continental crust.
Instruction
Lectures, exercises, seminar presentations
Assessment
Written examination
Reading list
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2019
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2016
- Reading list valid from Spring 2013
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2011
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2008
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2007, version 2
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2007, version 1
- Reading list valid from Spring 2005