2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SOEE3530 Global Geophysics
10 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr Christopher Davies
Email: C.Davies@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
This module focuses on the earth's deep interior and combines different geophysical methods to investigate this area.By the end of the module the student will have a good picture of the physical properties, structure and dynamics of the deep earth, and how we can deduce these features from geophysical techniques.
Much of the emphasis is on problem solving, so the student will master various advanced mathematical techniques for quantitatively analysing geophysical data.
Syllabus
Plate Tectonics:
• Plate characteristics; historical development of observational evidence, continental drift & sea floor spreading
• Relative plate motions in 2D, velocity diagrams and triple junction analysis
• Relative plate motions in 3D, rotation vectors, geometric implications of motion on a sphere
• Plate driving forces, traction, ridge push, slab pull, phase boundary effects
Mantle Convection:
• Governing equations, Boussinesq approximation
• Non-dimensional numbers, scaling laws
• Onset of convection, critical Rayleigh number
• Fate of slabs, whole mantle vs layered convection
• Dynamic topography
• The adiabat and mantle geotherm
Geomagnetic Field:
• Spherical harmonics
• IGRF
• Dipole strength, long term variations, CALS7k, GUFM; dipole decay
• Geodynamo, governing equations, non-dimensional numbers,
• Core convection and magnetic field generation
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Practical | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 69.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
- Completion of coursework problems (2 x 10 hours).- Literature review and completion of essays (2 x 6 hours).
- General background reading for lectures (10 x 1 hours).
- Exam preparation and revision (1 x 27 hours).
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Continuous monitoring during practicals with immediate formative assessment and feedback.Coursework provides a mixture of summative (each counts towards 25% of the final mark) and formative assessment.
Assessments consist of a mix of numerical questions and a discursive essay on topics that will be similar to those on the final exam.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Practical | 2 practicals reports - Mix of problem solving and essay questions. Both are equally weighted. | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 30/01/2019
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