Introduction to Structural Geology and Tectonics

Objectives
Structural Geology and Tectonics examines the deformation of Earth's crust and lithosphere. The course aims to introduce undergraduate students to its basic principles, analysis methods and field characteristics. The overall goal is to provide a good understanding of how Earth's rocks deform at different levels of the lithosphere. Students develop a basic appreciation of rock deformation at different temperatures and pressures and at various scales and understand the difference between brittle and ductile deformation regimes. Students study diverse geometries and types of structures in the field and learn to relate them to the deformation regime, with emphasis on the regional geology of Bergen.

Content
The course includes a basic explanation and quantification of stress and strain, the geometric description and classification of brittle and ductile structures including faults and folds in extensional, strike-slip and contractional tectonic regimes, aspects relating to the rheology of Earth's lithosphere at various temperature and pressure conditions, mountain building processes as well as strain concentration in shear zones. During field excursions in the vicinity of Bergen, students gain hands-on experience on a broad range of geological structures. In a series of practicals, students learn how to interpret geological maps, construct geological cross-sections and how to plot and use structural data to solve basic geological problems.

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge
The student

• demonstrates a basic understanding of stress, strain and rheology of Earth's lithosphere
• comprehend how to describe and classify brittle and ductile structures, including faults and folds
• knows how mountain ranges and rift basins form
• knows how to read simple geological maps and geological cross-sections
• comprehends basic concepts in structural geology and tectonics with respect to the geology of the Bergen region

Skills
The student can

• define stress and strain and can relate these to the geometry of folded and faulted regions
• recognize various structures in different deformation regimes
• measure, plot and interpret simple structural field data and can relate these to geological maps and profiles
• discuss aspects of structural geology and tectonics with respect to the local geology of Bergen

General competence
The student can

• undertake a basic structural field investigation
• understand and evaluate simple structural data from reports, maps and publications
• participate in basic discussion in structural geology and tectonics
• know how to document structural data in a written report