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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2620 Explosive Volcanism: Processes, deposits and resources

10 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Graham McLeod
Email: G.W.McLeod@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

To give students a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the eruption, transport and deposition of pyroclastic deposits and subsequent reworking of these as by volcaniclastic processes.
To show how eruption parameters can be reconstructed from the geometry, distribution and depositional characteristics of volcanic units.
To illustrate the nature of pyroclastic/volcaniclastic deposists as potential hosts of geothermal systems and introduce the benefit of exploiting them as a source of renewable energy.
The module addresses the science of physical volcanology and fluid dynamics and applies this to give an understanding of process and product, using examples and case studies from ancient and modern examples, both in the UK and globally.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you will have a good understanding of how volcanic eruptions generate a range of deposits and will be able to describe and interpret a variety of volcanic units in field and laboratory contexts in terms of their mode of formation.
You will develop an understanding of stratigraphic architectures in volcanic environments and how these influence the development of geothermal resources.

As a whole, this module develops geological understanding in parallel to fluid dynamic and stratigraphic concepts taught in SOEE2062: Sedimentary Processes and Depositional Environments, and will prepare students well for magmatic and volcanological processes taught in SOEE3171: Volcanic Processes.

As geology is the study of multiple aspects of the Earth system, these courses carry common concepts and skills across modules: they are inter-disciplinary, and so skills acquired here will have direct relevance elsewhere in the course and vice versa.


Syllabus

Introduction to explosive volcanism and the nature of pyroclastic and volcaniclastic deposits

From Magma to Tephra; fragmentation processes linked to magma properties

Transport and Deposition of Pyroclastic Density Currents

Deposition Processes and nature of Deposits

Landscape responses to explosive volcanism: volcaniclastic processes, deposits and hazards

Case study - Taupo 1800a eruption

Geothermal resources associated with explosive volcanism and hosted in pyroclastic/volcaniclastic deposits

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork116.0016.00
Lecture71.007.00
Practical22.004.00
Private study hours73.00
Total Contact hours27.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

There will be weekly reading assignments and also online exercises and materials to review.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Practical classes serve as point of contact where knowledge and skills may be assessed in one to one interaction between students and staff.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
ReportScafell Caldera Literature Review (2,500 words)50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)50.00

The literature review report is based on the geology of the area that will be visited on the module’s field excursion, a 2-day field trip to the Scafell Pike Caldera in the Lake District. The report will serve as preparatory work for understanding the geology of the field area, enabling advanced investigation of the deposits in the field. The date of the field excursion is flexible, as it must avoid clashes with other core fieldwork in Level 2, but normally occurs in one of the weekends in the last term of teaching. The timing of the fieldwork is designed to act as consolidation and revision of the module in preparation for the exam.


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)1 hr 30 mins50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)50.00

The exam is based on two compulsory short answer question and single essay questions chosen from a short list of possible questions. The module re-sit will take the form of the component(s) failed: report, exam, or both.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/02/2017

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