6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate, Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Dr Laurent Ailleres
Dr Robin Armit
Unit guides
Notes
The unit is offered in a non-standard teaching period.
Synopsis
The unit aims to teach the skills of geological mapping in two classic field locations of Australian geology, in Broken Hill (poly-deformed and high-grade metamorphic terrane) and Bermagui (poly-deformed, highly complex terrane). In both field camp, the emphasis will be on observing, recording, and interpreting geologic phenomena in a natural environment. Students will draw on a theoretical background of lectures and laboratory studies in first, second and third-year geology to analyse real rocks in the real world. Students will use their observations and interpretations to construct geological maps and cross-sections and determine the geological history of complex poly-deformed terrane. The concept of key locality for observation and critical thinking for correlation between key locality will be introduced and applied to produce map and cross sections of highly complexly deformed terranes.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- produce structural geological maps;
- observe and interpret the distribution of lithologies and structures in the field;
- correlate observations and interpretations at the outcrop scale to produce consistent map and cross-sections;
- determine the relationship between structure and metamorphic assemblages;
- visualise complex three dimensional geometries;
- unravel the geological history of complexly deformed terranes;
- determine overprinting relationships from field geology;
- communicate results in a written report;
- work in a team environment and communicate of results with peers;
- equip students with discipline-specific knowledge and expertise appropriate for post-graduate research in the field; equip students with discipline-specific knowledge and expertise enabling them to take their place as professional geologists in industry or government organisations; develop their field mapping techniques.
Assessment
Fieldwork exercises Broken Hill: 45%
Fieldwork exercises Bermagui: 35%
Presentation: 10%
Report: 10%
Workload requirements
- Total of 80 hours for Broken Hill
- Total of 40 hours for Bermagui
- 24 hours independent study
See also Unit timetable information
This unit applies to the following area(s) of study
Master of Science in Earth Science