GEOL-201 Sedimentary Geology – Spring 2013
Instructor: Steven Earle PhD, P.Geo.
Office: 360/304a
Office hours: Tuesday through Friday. 11:00-11:30 (or any other time that I’m there)
E-mail: steven.earle@viu.ca
GEOL-201 is focused on the features of sedimentary depositional environments and on the charac-teristics of sediments and sedimentary rocks that accumulate in those environments. Wherever possible we will look at field examples of the actual depositional environments or of rocks deposited in those environments, or both. The course will include a great deal of field work. We will also spend time learning about and using methods that geologists use to study sediments and sedimentary rocks in the field and in the lab.
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The textbook is: Sedimentary Geology (2nd Ed.) by D. R. Prothero and F. Schwab.
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Major course topics
· Fluvial processes and features of sediments & rocks formed in river environments · Glacial processes & features of sediments formed in glacial environments · Near-shore marine processes & features of sediments & rocks formed in near-shore environments · Sub-marine fan environments & features of rocks formed in sub-marine fans · Shallow marine carbonate environments and features of carbonate rocks · Grain-size analysis of sediments · Trace fossils · Lithostratigraphy & biostratigraphy
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Course schedule
Wednesday (class) |
Friday (class and lab or field trip) |
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January |
9 |
Introduction |
11 |
Weathering and erosion |
No lab |
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16 |
Fluvial processes |
18 |
Fluvial processes |
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Nanaimo River field trip |
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23 |
Sedimentary structures |
25 |
Sedimentary rock classification |
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Fluvial rock field trip |
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30 |
Grain size classification |
1 |
Interpreting grain size data |
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Lab work on Nanaimo R. samples |
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February |
6 |
Mudrocks and sandstones |
8 |
Shoreline processes |
Stephenson Pt. & Malaspina Cut |
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13 |
Glacial processes |
15 |
Glacial processes and gravity flows |
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Glacial sediments field trip |
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20 |
Carbonate depositional environments (and work with Belize samples) |
22 |
No class – Steve away |
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No classes - spring break |
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March |
6 |
Submarine fan environments |
8 |
Gabriola Island field trip |
13 |
Trace fossils |
15 |
Submarine fan environments |
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Nanaimo Gp. s-m fan deposition |
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20 |
Carbonate rock classification |
22 |
Horne Lake field trip |
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27 |
Lithostratigraphy |
29 |
No Class – Easter Friday |
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April |
3 |
Sedimentary rocks in thin section |
5 |
Stratigraphic logs and cross-sections |
Harewood section measurement |
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10 |
Nanaimo Gp. Lutite Project |
12 |
Nanaimo Gp. Lutite Project |
Project
The GEOL-390 field course in Belize (during spring break) involves a study of carbonate depositional environments, and is directly relevant to this course. Some of you will be there, and for the others I plan to provide daily FaceBook updates of what we see and do. As a group project in GEOL-201 we will create a summary of the carbonate depositional environments and other relevant features on the Belize shelf.
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Grading:
The plan for grading is as follows: Field-trip participation and write-ups: 25% Lab exercises: 10% Assignments (3): 18% Belize group project: 12% Responses to readings 5% Final exam: 30%
My objectives for your learning in GEOL-201:
1) Foundational knowledge: Acquire basic knowledge about sedimentary geology
2) Application: a) learn how to think like a geologist b) learn how to solve sedimentary geology problems that we encounter in the course c) learn how to solve problems that are different from those that we encounter in this course.
3) Integration: Understand how sedimentary geology relates to other areas of earth science, such as plate tectonics, climate change, paleontology and groundwater.
4) Internalization: Get excited about sedimentary geology and recognize its importance to you and society. Learn something about yourself and your abilities; learn about other people.
5) Learn about learning: Become a more capable learner. Learn how to acquire and construct knowledge. Become a self-directed learner. Become a teacher, and discover something about how other people learn.
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