Spring 2022 - EASC 317 D100
Global Geophysics (3)
Class Number: 1768
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 22, 2022
Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Andy Calvert
acalvert@sfu.ca
1 778 782-5511
Office: TASC 1 Room 7415
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Prerequisites:
EASC 207 with a grade of C- or better, or permission of instructor.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Application of geophysical methods to the study of the Earth's evolution and its interior structure: geometrical nature of plate tectonics on a sphere; the Earth's magnetic field and its use in reconstruction of past plate motions; earthquake seismology and understanding the deep interior, gravity and lithospheric flexure, radioactive decay and an absolute geological time scale; heat loss and mantle convection; structure of oceanic lithosphere; structure of continental lithosphere; the early Earth and the tectonics of other planets. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Description
Application of geophysical methods to the study of the Earth and its interior structure: the geometrical nature of plate tectonics on a sphere; the Earth's magnetic field and its use in reconstruction of past plate motions; earthquake seismology and understanding the deep interior; gravity and lithospheric flexure; heat loss and mantle convection; the structure of oceanic lithosphere; continental lithosphere and its evolution.
Course Topics
- Geometry of plate tectonics
- Past plate motions
- Earthquake seismology
- Isostasy and gravity anomalies
- Heat flow
- Oceanic lithosphere
- Continental lithosphere
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Understand the basic theory of plate tectonics and the past and present movement of tectonic plates on Earth.
- Relate relative plate velocities to geological observations at a plate boundary
- Understand the generation and basic observation and characterization of earthquakes
- Understand the theory of isostasy and its implications for vertical movements of earth’s crust and lithosphere
- Show familiarity with the theory of heat loss from Earth, and understand how this affects mass density and basin formation
- Show familiarity with the tectonic processes associated with the generation and subduction of oceanic lithosphere
- Show familiarity with the tectonic evolution of continental lithosphere and its margins
Grading
- Midterm examination 25%
- Assignments 30%
- Final examination 45%
NOTES:
Course work will usually be problem sets, which will sometimes require the use of basic computer applications such as Excel
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Fowler, C.M.R., The Solid Earth, Cambridge University Press. 2004 2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780521893077
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022
Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place. Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.