2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3470 Plate Tectonics and Geodynamics

10 creditsClass Size: 70

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

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of level 2 BSc. Geology or equivalent

This module is not approved as a discovery module

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 task to strict deadlines;
- gain experience of presenting their work at a Poster session.

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 1x 2 hour Poster Session. This will develop the ideas and understanding of Part A of the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Poster session	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Practical	4	2.00	8.00
Private study hours			79.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Directed reading: 50 hours;
Completion of practical work: 20 hours;
Group work (including poster preparation): 8 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

2 hour scheduled practical sessions but all four practicals will be submitted for formative feedback. Further formative feedback will be given via Blackboard collaborate during group poster sessions

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Poster Presentation	Group poster presentation	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

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)	2 hr 00 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

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 website

Last updated: 04/09/2024

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