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, 3 May 2016
- Responsible department
- Department of Earth Sciences
Entry requirements
120 credits with 80 credits in physics and mathematics, or with 60 credits in earth science, 15 credits in mathematics and 15 credits in physics.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student should be able to
- describe the basic configurations of plate boundaries, their development through time on a flat and a spherical earth, and relate these concepts to geomagnetic evidence.
- use the concept of isostatic compensation to calculate Earth's responses to simple loads
- describe the different types of seismic waves, explain how they are transmitted, reflected, and refracted in the Earth and describe the major structure of the Earth's interior.
- calculate travel-time curves for simple Earth's structures
- explain how earthquakes are located and how they can be categorised into strike-slip, normal and thrust faulting on the basis of worldwide observations.
- recall the equations describing convection in the Earth's interior, and reproduce the basic concepts of convection of the mantle including its link to plate tectonics, and convection of the core including its relation to the Earth's magnetic field.
- discuss in some detail the evolution and dynamics of the Earth's subduction zones, mid-ocean ridges, continental margins, and sedimentary basins.
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