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2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2950 Sedimentary Basins and their Resources

10 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Nigel Mountney
Email: n.p.mountney@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of Level 1 of registered programme

Module replaces

SOEE2085SOEE2510SOEE2600

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will provide students studying Geology (and Geophysics & Geography-Geology) programmes skills and training in (i) the main methods and techniques used to investigate sedimentary basins, (ii) developing an understanding of the tectonic and structural evolution of such basins, (iii) acquiring knowledge of the mechanisms of infilling of basins by sedimentary successions, and (iv) gaining an awareness of how the geological accumulations within such basins serve to provide important geo-energy resources.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students studying the Geology, Geophysics and Geography-Geology programmes skills and training in (i) the main methods and techniques used to investigate sedimentary basins, (ii) developing an understanding of the tectonic and structural evolution of such basins, (iii) acquiring knowledge of the mechanisms of infilling of basins by sedimentary successions, and (iv) gaining an awareness of how the geological accumulations within such basins serve to provide important geo-energy resources. The module will teach techniques in seismic stratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, basin analysis and subsurface characterization. Students will acquire generic skills relating to the integration of disparate data sets, 3D thinking, problem solving and the practical application of geological concepts to real-world applied geology problems. The module will incorporate two one-day field classes to consider sedimentary basins and their infills.

Learning outcomes
1. Describe, interpret and explain the mode of origin of a range of sedimentary basins, characterize the structural style of these basins, including from seismic data, and recognize and evaluate lateral variations of sedimentary facies in a variety of basin settings.
2. Derive tectonic subsidence/uplift and sea-level change histories from the history of base-level change and burial represented in the stratigraphic record.
3. Describe, interpret and explain the main geological factors that govern the migration of fluids through porous media, and explain the origin of a variety of diagenetic features in siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks.

Skills outcomes
Employability.


Syllabus

1. Mechanisms of formation of sedimentary basins.
2. Tectonic geomorphology; structural styles of basins and their expression in seismic data.
3. Source-to-sink sediment delivery pathways within evolving sedimentary basins.
4. Fundamental principles of seismology and seismic interpretation.
5. Burial history analysis: back-stripping the tectonic subsidence history of a sedimentary basin.
6. Fundamental techniques in basin analysis.
7. Tectonic and sea-level controls upon variations of sedimentary facies in differing basin settings.
8. An introduction to concepts in seismic stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy.
9. An overview of hydrocarbon systems (this may or may not be included depending on how the University chooses to implement the principles of its new Climate Change Policy).
10. Low-carbon geo-energy resources in sedimentary basins (geothermal, hydrogen, water).
11. Sedimentary basins for long-term deep underground storage (CCS, nuclear waste repositories).

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork29.0018.00
Lecture121.0012.00
Practical102.0020.00
Independent online learning hours20.00
Private study hours30.00
Total Contact hours50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

Work on a series of problem-solving exercises that form part of the coursework assessments. Students will be expected to undertake independent literature searches and apply knowledge gained to develop comprehensive answers to set exercises.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback on group exercises – series of short questions answered by groups. S2, W 5,7.

Review of workbook portfolios as they develop with advice given on how best to present work as an integrated answer. S2, W5-10.

Review of Book Cliffs set exercise as it is completed over several weeks with advice given on interpretation of dataset. S2, W2-4.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
PracticalSubsurface Resources Workbook60.00
PracticalSedimentary Basins Workbook40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Resit for this module will consist of submission of Stratigraphic Interpretation report, Diagenesis report and Subsurface Resources workbook. The assessed coursework can be completed using support materials available on Minerva. An essay-based assessment may be set as an alternative for students who are deemed to have special mitigating circumstances that prevent completion of the above-mentioned assessments.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 08/04/2022 11:25:34

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