2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SOEE3490 Mountain Belt Processes
10 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Andrew McCaig
Email: A.M.McCaig@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Pre-requisite qualifications
Successful completion of level 2 BSc. Geology or equivalentThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:- discuss models different mechanisms of mountain building and continental deformation together with the related geological processes;
- use the basic geological techniques of systematic rock descriptions, map analysis, the interpretation of geophysical data and the integration of disperate geological datasets to examine Earth processes;
- use combinations of petrological and geochronogical data to evaluate histories of rocks;
- use methods of sedimentary geology and stratigraphy to investigate the impact of mountain building on Earth surface processes;
- relate their own observations and data to published and other datasets and interpretations;
- report integrative geology through a variety of presentation media.
Skills outcomes
Students will gain transferable skills of groupwork poster preparation, as well as scentific skills of literature synthesis and petrographic observation of rocks.
Syllabus
This module aims to provide an overview of the processes that form mountain belts and the impact of mountain building on the Earth system.
The following topics embrace a range or orogenic settings, methods and synthesises:
- Paths in mountain belts
- Thermal responses to tectonism as reflected in metamorphic rocks
- Origin of syntectonic granites
- Ultra High Pressure metamorphic terrains - their formation and exhumnation.
- Geochronological tools applied to metamorphic rocks
- Unroofing histories, landscape development and provenance of syn-tectonic detritus
- Impact of mountain building on Earth systems
- Styles of continental deformation
- Geodynamical tools for quantifying active deformation
- Deep structure of mountain belts
- Himalayan-Alpine case studies
The module is taught by a series of lectures and group-based project-work supported by technical surgery classes.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Poster session | 1 | 8.00 | 8.00 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Practical | 3 | 2.00 | 6.00 |
| Private study hours | 76.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Follow-up after lectures: 16 hoursProject work: 40 hours
Group learning: 20 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
In-course assessment comprises 2 individual assignments and a group poster. Feedback is given on all these.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Diagrammatic reports: 500 words x 1 | 15.00 |
| Poster Presentation | Group poster | 25.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40.00 | |
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) | 1 hr 30 mins | 60.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60.00 | |
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 websiteLast updated: 17/09/2024
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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