2023/24 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 2023/24

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, 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.

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. Low-carbon geo-energy resources in sedimentary basins (geothermal, hydrogen, water).
10. Sedimentary basins for long-term deep underground storage (e.g.CCUS, nuclear waste repositories).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	12	1.00	12.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Independent online learning hours			34.00
Private study hours			34.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
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

Review of the Sedimentary Basins workbook portfolios as they develop set over several weeks with advice given on interpretation of the datasets. S2, W2-4.

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

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	Subsurface Resources Workbook	60.00
Practical	Sedimentary Basins Workbook	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resits will be assessed by require completion of an illustrated technical report, unless otherwise stated.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/02/2024

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