Advanced Geological Field Techniques

EART25102 Advanced Geological Field Techniques 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 5 Stephen Covey-Crump Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 This unit comprises two residential field courses run over a two-week period at Easter in Scotland. One is a 6-day (excluding travel) field mapping trip that consolidates and develops the mapping skills obtained in EART28101 Introduction to Geological Mapping by applying them in a refolded, low to medium-grade metamorphic terrain. The focus is upon producing a map and accurately constructed cross-section that as a package contains not only bedding/younging data but also observations of cleavages, structural lineations, and minor fold geometry. The format of the mapping trip is a mix of staff-led field days, and days when the students map independently.The other field trip is a 5-day (excluding travel) excursion that focuses on methods of acquiring and analysing sedimentary and igneous/contact metamorphic field data through a series of part-day or day-long exercises. In delivering the material on this trip, attention is also paid to matters that may be significant in an Earth Resources context. The focus is upon collecting and recording observations on measured sections or carefully drawn diagrams that are chosen to facilitate and communicate a process-based interpretation of those observations. All exercises are staff-led in the sense that the exercises are set up and explained by staff, and staff are present throughout, but the students apply the techniques/collect their data independently.On both field trips, field days are typically from 9am to 5pm, and students are expected to work on their field data in the evenings This unit comprises two residential field courses run over a two-week period at Easter in Scotland. One is a 6-day (excluding travel) field mapping trip that consolidates and develops the mapping skills obtained in EART28101 Introduction to Geological Mapping by applying them in a refolded, low to medium-grade metamorphic terrain. The focus is upon producing a map and accurately constructed cross-section that as a package contains not only bedding/younging data but also observations of cleavages, structural lineations, and minor fold geometry. The format of the mapping trip is a mix of staff-led field days, and days when the students map independently.The other field trip is a 5-day (excluding travel) excursion that focuses on methods of acquiring and analysing sedimentary and igneous/contact metamorphic field data through a series of part-day or day-long exercises. In delivering the material on this trip, attention is also paid to matters that may be significant in an Earth Resources context. The focus is upon collecting and recording observations on measured sections or carefully drawn diagrams that are chosen to facilitate and communicate a process-based interpretation of those observations. All exercises are staff-led in the sense that the exercises are set up and explained by staff, and staff are present throughout, but the students apply the techniques/collect their data independently.On both field trips, field days are typically from 9am to 5pm, and students are expected to work on their field data in the evenings The aim of this unit is to develop a range of geological field data collection techniques that have been previously introduced at elementary level on the 1st year Earth & Planetary Sciences field courses and in EART28101 Field Course: Introduction to Geological Mapping. The unit comprises two back-to-back field courses, one covering geological mapping techniques in a structurally complex sequence of metasedimentary rocks, and the other covering sedimentary and igneous field data collection. The primary emphasis is upon making observations that can be recorded on a maps, measured sections, or field-drawn diagrams, and which can be used to reconstruct the sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic and structural context and events that account for those observations. The unit is a key element of preparation for EART37000 Independent Project in Geological Field Mapping but is also highly useful for those students who have a significant field element to their 3rd year project work (which is a possibility in EART35000 Independent Project in Energy and Resources, EART36000 Independent Project in Geochemistry, and EART31100 Independent Project in Planetary Science)  On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:Mapping field trip:<ul><li>measure fold axes, fold axial planes, cleavages, and cleavage/bedding intersections belonging to different deformation events, and use the asymmetry of minor structures to establish where they are on larger scale folds</li><li>produce a geological map of a tectonically deformed region that shows key structural data, how mapping unit contacts have been affected by the deformation, and the locations of fold axial traces, faults and igneous intrusions</li><li>construct a profile plane cross section, showing the data used to construct it, to illustrate the geometry of the folding within a mapping area</li></ul>Sedimentary/Igneous field trip:<ul><li>construct measured sections in sedimentary successions at a variety of scales</li><li>subdivide sedimentary sequences into facies based on a consideration of the types of processes responsible for the sedimentary structures, contact relations, and bedforms observed</li><li>assemble facies into facies associations as a basis for inferring depositional environments</li><li>apply appropriate terminology when describing the mineralogical and textural features of mappable units of igneous and metamorphic rocks in the field</li><li>deduce the first order volcanic and/or magmatic ascent and emplacement processes and histories of igneous rocks based on field relationships and textural observations</li></ul> Field mapping trip: departure the Tuesday before the first teaching week after EasterTuesday of the first teaching week after Easter: travel from mapping trip location to Sedimentary/Igneous trip locationSedimentary/Igneous trip: SW Wales: start on Wednesday of the first teaching week after Easter; return on the Monday of the second teaching week after Easter Teaching within this unit uses a range of methods including staff-led traverses in the mapping areas, independent mapping, and one-on-one interactions with staff to discuss progress and data collection strategies. Each field trip has a bespoke field handbook (hard copy) that describes the geological context of the field area, and provides detailed notes (with examples) on making, presenting and interpreting the types of field observations that are the focus of the trip. The handbooks and supporting information about the field areas are also uploaded to Blackboard <div> On each field trip students are strongly encouraged to obtain feedback on their progress during the field trip by showing their work to staff several times. Both field trips are residential and staff are accommodated on the same site as the students to facilitate this. All assessments are submitted on the field trip. Post-field course written feedback is provided, and can be augmented (on arrangement) by one-on-one discussion with staffSuccessful field geologists are able to collect observations and think strategically about what they doing for themselves. Hence much of the teaching strategy within this unit is designed to get students to the point where they can be self-reliant in the field</div>   2 Written assignment (inc essay) 100%  <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="height: 56px; width: 149px">Assessment type</td> <td style="height: 56px; width: 76px">% Weighting within unit</td> <td style="height: 56px; width: 94px">Hand out and hand in dates</td> <td style="height: 56px; width: 66px">Length (time available)</td> <td style="height: 56px; width: 189px">How, when and what feedback is provided</td> <td>ILO Tested</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" style="height: 32px; width: 640px">100% in-course assessment, comprising two work packages, one submitted at the end of each field trip</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" style="height: 21px; width: 640px">Mapping field trip</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 101px; width: 149px">Assignment (field exercise)Field slips</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 76px">40%</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 94px">submit on final day of mapping trip</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 66px">6 days</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 189px"> <ul> <li>written general feedback within 15 days of the end of the field course</li> <li>one-on-one discussion with staff (by arrangement)</li> </ul> </td> <td>1, 2</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 101px; width: 149px">Assignment (field exercise)Cross section and stereogram</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 76px">20%</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 94px">submit on final day of mapping trip (one submission per 2 or 3 students)</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 66px">6 days</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 189px"> <ul> <li>written general feedback within 15 days of the end of the field course</li> <li>one-on-one discussion with staff (by arrangement)</li> </ul> </td> <td>1, 3</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" style="height: 33px; width: 640px">Sedimentary/Igneous field trip</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 101px; width: 149px">Assignment (field exercise)Measured sections with evidence-based interpretations of depositional environments and regional controls on sedimentation, each presented as posters</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 76px">20%</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 94px">submit on final day of sedimentary / igneous trip (one submission per 2 or 3 students)</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 66px">5 days</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 189px"> <ul> <li>written general feedback within 15 days of the end of the field course</li> <li>one-on-one discussion with staff (by arrangement)</li> </ul> </td> <td>4, 5, 6</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 101px; width: 149px">Assignment (field exercise)Text / annotated diagrams describing the igneous units visited and providing evidence-based interpretations of their formation, presented in poster format</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 76px">20%</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 94px">Submit on final day of sedimentary / igneous trip (one day submission per 2 or 3 students)</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 66px">5 days</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 189px"> <ul> <li>written general feedback within 15 days of the end of the field course</li> <li>one-on-one discussion with staff (by arrangement)</li> </ul> </td> <td>7, 8</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  EART28101 Fieldcourse: Introduction to Geological Mapping Pre-Requisite Compulsory EART22201 Igneous Minerals and Processes Co-Requisite Compulsory EART27201 Sedimentary Rocks and Fossils Co-Requisite Compulsory EART28202 Structural Geology Co-Requisite Compulsory 1st year Earth & Planetary Sciences programme BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Geology) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Planet Sci) Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Geochemistr) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Geolo) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Plane) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Geoch) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Industr MEarthSci EPS w IE (GeoChem) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS Abroad (PS) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS w YA (Geochem) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS w R (GeoChem) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS (Plan Sci) w Res Second Year Optional N <ul><li>Lisle RJ, Brabham PJ, Barnes JW, 2011, Basic Geological Mapping (5th edition), John Wiley & Sons [recommended]</li><li>Jerram D, Petford N, 2011, The Field Description of Igneous Rocks (2nd edition), John Wiley & Sons [core]</li><li>Fry N, 1991, The Field Description of Metamorphic Rocks, John Wiley & Sons [core]</li><li>Tucker ME, 2011, Sedimentary Rocks in the Field (4th edition), John Wiley & Sons [core]</li><li>McClay KR, 1987, The Mapping of Geological Structures, John Wiley & Sons [recommended]</li><li>Kruhl JH, 2017, Drawing Geological Structures, Wiley Blackwell [recommended]</li></ul> 0 0 100   <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="height: 47px; width: 173px"> Type</td> <td style="height: 47px; width: 175px"> Example activity</td> <td style="height: 47px; width: 142px"> mapping</td> <td style="height: 47px; width: 142px"> sedimentary/igneous</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 85px; width: 173px"> Guided fieldwork(contact time with new material and consolidation/practice)</td> <td style="height: 85px; width: 175px"> Fieldwork led by members of staff (excludes daily travel)</td> <td style="height: 85px; width: 142px"> 2½ days (~7 hr per day)</td> <td style="height: 85px; width: 142px"> ~2 hr per day for 5 days</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 122px; width: 173px"> Independent or paired fieldwork (independent consolidation/practice)</td> <td style="height: 122px; width: 175px"> Fieldwork carried out independently or in pairs without a staff member present except for short encounters (excludes daily travel)</td> <td style="height: 122px; width: 142px"> 3½ days (~7 hr per day)</td> <td style="height: 122px; width: 142px"> ~5 hr per day for 5 days</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 122px; width: 173px"> Classwork (consolidation/practice with staff available for feedback for part of the time; assessed coursework)</td> <td style="height: 122px; width: 175px"> Field days spent in the accommodation preparing assessed material</td> <td style="height: 122px; width: 142px"> ~½ hr per day for 6 days with staff present</td> <td style="height: 122px; width: 142px"> ~½ hr per day for 5 days with staff present</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 96px; width: 173px"> Evening work (consolidation/practice/ assessed coursework)</td> <td style="height: 96px; width: 175px"> Evening work consolidating the day’s data collection and preparing the assessed material</td> <td style="height: 96px; width: 142px"> ~1½ hr per day</td> <td style="height: 96px; width: 142px"> ~1½ hr per day</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 66px; width: 173px"> Travel</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 175px"> Journey to field area, transfer between field areas, journey home</td> <td colspan="2" style="height: 66px; width: 284px"> 3 days</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 66px; width: 173px"> Total</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 175px">  </td> <td colspan="2" style="height: 66px; width: 284px"> 14 days(9 hr + 1½ hr travel per day on the 11 working days)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 27px; width: 173px"> Total excluding all travel</td> <td style="height: 27px; width: 175px">  </td> <td colspan="2" style="height: 27px; width: 284px"> (9 hr × 6) + (9 hr × 5) = 99 hr</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>