Course

Structural Geology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Course code
EAES 2550
Credits
4.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically offered
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course describes the deformation of rock. Students will learn about stress and strain, plate tectonics, structural analysis, techniques of collecting structural data, and some economic applications. Field trips will be required.
Course content
  • Geological structures in the field and on geological maps.
  • Primary geological structures compared to geological structures caused by deformation.
  • Deformation and strain (mechanisms, displacement vectors, kinematic analysis).
  • Force and stress (sources of stress, dynamic analysis, stress vectors, Mohr diagram, elastic/plastic/viscous behaviour, experimental results).
  • Brittle structures (deformation, fractures, faults, folds).
  • Ductile structures (deformation, folds, lineation, foliation, shear zones, metamorphism).
  • Tectonics and structural provinces (earth structure, structure of continental and oceanic crust, extensional provinces, compressional provinces, provinces dominated by shear).
  • Tools and techniques of structural geology (geological map, geological cross-section, geologic compass, stereonet, orthographic projection, strain/stress ellipsoids, Mohr diagram).
  • Economic applications of structural geology (vein mineral deposits, faulted coal seams, petroleum traps, hydraulic fracturing).
Learning activities

Lectures, labs, occasional field trips.

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation citeria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on the following:

Labs and Assignments                20 - 30%

Lab Exams                                 15 - 25%

Term Exams                               20 - 30%

Final Exam                                  30%

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing EAES 2550, a student will be able to:

  • Describe a range of geological structures.
  • Identify and describe geological structures at continental to hand specimen scales.
  • Recognize structural elements, and measure their orientations using a geological compass.
  • Use kinematic analysis to explain geological structures.
  • Use dynamic analysis to explain geological structures.
  • Evaluate geological data, and draw simple geological maps and matched cross-sections.
  • Describe some economic applications of structural geology.
Textbook materials

Students should consult the bookstore for the latest required course materials, including the textbook. 

Textbook: 

a)  Davis, G.H., Reynolds, S.J., Kluth, C.F.; Structural Geology of Rocks and Regions; John Wiley and Sons

 or

b)   van der Pluijm, B.A., Marshak, S.; Earth Structure; W.W. Norton and Company

  or equivalent.

Other course materials:  "Rite in the Rain" waterproof notebook or equivalent, rock hammer, hand lens, mineral identification kit, safety eyewear.