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GL2511: GEOPHYSICS (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

This course establishes the fundamental principles underlying the main methods of geophysical exploration data and their interpretation as applied to Earth Sciences. This includes some basic principles of continuum mechanics and stress and strain as used in structural geology as well some basic principles of geophysical fluid dynamics as relevant to sediment transport and deposition in sedimentology.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Amy Gilligan

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course covers 10 key topics in geophysics. Teaching is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, and practical classes, including computer based practicals where you will learn the basics of coding python. By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Describe the main forces operating in the Earth, their behaviour, interaction and geological significance.
  • Analyse and interpret basic geophysical data to make quantitative estimates of the Earth’s physical properties
  • Apply basic mathematical and coding skills to solving geophysical problems
  • Communicate geophysical concepts to a general and specialist audience

Each week of term covers a different topic:

  1. Planetary Structure and Tectonics: How do planets move?, Earth Structure, Plate Tectonics
  2. Heat: Heat fundamentals, Heat flow and geothermal gradients, Radiogenic heat production
  3. Mechanics: Stress and pressure, Strain, Rheology
  4. Faults and Fractures, Failure models, tensile fractures, faults, strength and friction
  5. Earthquakes: Where the occur, how big are they, focal mechanisms, induced seismicity, earthquake hazard
  6. Passive seismology: How do we measure ground motion? What can seismometers detect, locating earthquakes, imaging the Earth
  7. Seismic reflection and refraction
  8. Seismic acquisition and processing
  9. Magnetism: The Earth’s magnetic field, magnetic surveying, interpreting magnetic anomalies
  10. Gravity: The Earth’s shape, measuring gravity, gravity corrections, interpreting gravity anomalies

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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