GEO 380C: Advanced Structural Geology
This course provides an overview of
structural geology at an advanced level and is essential for all students
interested in the area of structure/tectonics. The purpose of the course
is to give students a solid background in stress and strain and to introduce
them to how these are used in solving tectonic and structural problems.
| Week |
Topics |
| 9/2-9/19 |
Stress, Mohr circles for stress, brittle behavior
and failure criteria, stress and faulting, stress fields |
| 9/21-9/30 |
Strain, infinitesimal strain;
strain-displacement; elasticity, plasticity, deformation mechanisms
and flow laws |
| 10/3-10/19 |
Pure & simple shear - coaxial and noncoaxial
deformation; finite strain, strain measurement |
| 10/21-10/26 |
Volume change and pressure solution |
| 10/28-11/4 |
Shear zones; displacement and strain in shear
zones, strain partitioning |
| 11/7-11/16 |
Boudinage, folding, formation of
cleavages/foliations, lineations |
| 11/18-12/9 |
Strike slip, thrust, normal faults |
Paper discussions - group discussions of specific papers - various dates TBD
Other important dates:
9/5: Labor Day Holiday
11/24-25: Thanksgiving Holiday
Hour exams: 10/5, 11/9, 12/9
Abstract due: 10/24
Homework: ~5 due at beginning of class, 1 week after
assigned; all before mid-Oct.
Grades Based on: Tests (66%), Homework (15%), Abstract (15%), Class
Participation - paper discussions (4%)
Useful Texts:
- Means, W. D.; 1976, Stress and Strain, Springer-Verlag
- Twiss, R. J., and Moores, E. M., 1992, Structural Geology, W. H. Freeman
& Co.
- Ramsay, J. G., 1967; Folding and Fracturing of Rocks, McGraw-Hill
- Ramsay, J. G., and Huber, M. I., 1983 & 1987; The Techniques of Modern
Structural Geology, Volume 1: Strain Analysis; Volume 2: Folds and
Fractures; Academic Press
On alternate years, this course is taught by Dr. Randy Marrett.
