2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5645M Plate Tectonics and Geodynamics (MGeol)

15 creditsClass Size: 10

Module manager: Dr Andrew McCaig
Email: a.m.mccaig@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

Pass at second year Geological Sciences or equivalent, satisfactory performance in previous year.

Pre-requisites

SOEE2590

Mineralogy and Petrology

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE3470	Plate Tectonics & Geodynamics
SOEE3530	Global Geophysics
SOEE5665M	Global Geophysics

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should:
- have a general overview of current ideas and models relating to Plate Tectonics/Kinematics and Mantle Dynamics;
- be capable of critical appraisal and discussion of these ideas and models. They should develop their skills of objectivity - to learn to weigh the evidence for a particular model and to distinguish between hard facts and inference or supposition;
- develop a more independent style of learning. This will involve active participation in lectures and practicals, making their own lecture notes rather than relying on structured handouts, and undertaking 3-4 hours of directed reading each week;
- improve their ability to work in a small group on a focused integrative task to strict deadlines;
- have produced an individual report focused onto one of the other poster type topics (not done as a part of a group). This will require synthesis and evaluation of a wide range of scientific literature;
- be capable of rapidly solving problems using a variety of geological data, applying a range of practical skills

Syllabus

Provisional syllabus - see module handout for detailed syllabus

(A) Plate Kinematics :
- Relative plate motions; rotation vectors; relationship between rotation vector and relative motion at a point, velocity diagrams
- Rotation vectors, working out relative plate motions (magnetic anomalies, GPS, laser interferometry), plate motion circuits, finite rotations, apparent polar wander paths
- Absolute plate motions, reference frames, fault plane solutions

(B) Geodynamics:
- Mantle structure and dynamics; 410 km, 660 km and D" discontinuities; compositional versus thermal convection, and the existence of mantle plumes. Geophysical and geochemical constraints on the nature of mantle convection
- Heat flow and heat generation in the Earth. How hot is the mantle? The adiabat and the geotherm; thermal subsidence and mid ocean ridges
- Subduction zone processes: stresses and earthquakes in subducting slabs; olivine phase changes; earth quake mechanisms; types of melt (Island arc tholeites, andesites, boninites, adakites); thermal modelling, dehydration and slab melting
- Construction of oceanic crust; slow vs fast spreading
- Comparative subductology; back-arc basins, plate coupling; slab roll-back; absolute plate motions; comparison of IBM and Andean subduction systems
- Plate driving forces

(C) Poster presentation
Combination of private study and group work, plus 1 x 2 hour Poster Session where each group will get a mark and feedback on their poster. Individual marks will also be assessed. MGeol students will be asked to submit an additional individual list of suggestions for further work to test the questions raised in the poster.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Practical	4	2.00	8.00
Tutorial	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			129.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Class tests, exams and assessment (independently research project) - 50 hours
Group learning (poster preparation) - 30 hours
Preparatory reading and exam revision - 49 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through course assessment and face to face interaction in practicals and help sessions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	2,500 words	33.00
Group Project	Poster project	22.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		55.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	2 hr 30 mins	45.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		45.00

Normally resits will be assessed by examination. If coursework has been completed, marks will be aggregated with the resit exam

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD