General Geology
Code
7697
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Terra
Credits
5.5
Teacher in charge
Rogério Eduardo Bordalo da Rocha
Weekly hours
5
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
This course aims to provide the students with a broad knowledge in the area of the Geosciences, in particular on the origin and evolution of Earth, the interaction between the different earth systems, as well as the role played by Geological engineers and Geologists in present Society.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Subject matter
Lectures
The importance of Geosciences. The Earth in the Solar System; origin and evolution. Meteorites.
Continental and oceanic morphology; characteristics of the different units.
Seismology: seismic waves, scales, zones and maps, seismograms; seismic prevention.
The internal structure of the Earth; units and discontinuities. Isostasy.
The continental drift. Plate tectonics – the Hess sea floor spreading theory and the Vine-Matthews hypothesis. The geomagnetic reversal time scale. Transform faults and lithospheric plates. The origin of mountain ranges (subduction and obduction). The evolution of lithospheric plates over the past 240 M. y.
Tectonics and structural geology: deformation in the crust (brittle and ductil). Concept of structural level, tectonic environments and associated structures. Fold and fault nomenclature.
Stratigraphy: the duality of the stratigraphic classification, units and general principles. The study of a sedimentary basin (eustatism and subsidence). Stratigraphic contacts.
Laboratory sessions
Essential minerals. The rock cycle. Macroscopic analysis of the main types of rocks and related geological processes. The geologist’s compass. Topographic maps. Geological maps: sections and interpretation.
Bibliography
K. C. CONDIE & R. E. SLOAN (1998) – Origin and Evolution of Earth. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 485 p.
W. K. HAMBLIN & E. H. CHRISTIANSEN (1998) – Earth’s dynamic systems. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 8ª ed.
F. PRESS, R. SIEVER, J. GROTZINGER & T. H. JORDAN (2003) – Understanding Earth. W. H. Freeman & Co., New York, 4ª ed.
B. SKINNER, S. PORTER & D. BOTKIN (1999) – The Blue Planet: an introduction to Physical Geology.
MacMilan Publ. Co., New York, 4ª ed.
A. STRAHLER & A. STRAHLER (1996) – Introducing Physical Geography. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2ª ed.
Teaching method
Different learning methods are used in this course:
- Tutorial teaching, corresponding to the programmed lectures and laboratory sessions
- E-learning methods are available by use of the Moodle platform, where students can contact instructors for dialogues and questions that they need to ask. This learning component does not substitute the mandatory office hours.
Evaluation method
Each student is evaluated by a final exam with a theoretical (T) and a practical exam wich is divided into the following components: 1) Rocks and use of Geologic Compass (PR); 2) Geologic Maps (PM).
Final classification (F) is obtained by:
F = 3/5(T) + 1/5(PR) + 1/5(PM)
To succeed, each student must obtain a final classification => 9,5/20, with at least a classification of 8/20 for each evaluation component.
Halfway through the semester a mid-term test is given with the theoretical and practical components; practical components refere to Rocks and Geologic Compass (PR). All students that obtain a minimum grade of 8/20 in this test are exempted of this part in the final exam.