Class
Objective:
Structural geology
in its simplest form is the study of rock deformation in the Earth's
lithosphere viewed from all scales - from the microscopic (atomic
scale) to the macroscopic (continental scale). The understanding of
how and why rocks deform is of fundamental importance in our overall
understanding of how the Earth works. This class will focus on building
a foundation of knowledge and understanding that will allow you, the
student, to broaden your appreciation and understanding of the complexity
of the Earth system and the links between geologic structures at all
scales and plate tectonics.
The class will be a mixture of lectures, hands-on labs, discussions
and field trips. Each phase will hopefully be educational and enjoyable
for all involved. Topics of focus will include stress and strain,
deformation and rheology, kinematics, folding, faulting and brittle
and ductile deformation mechanisms.
