EAE5061 - Geology and tectonics of New Zealand - 2019

This is an intensive 12-day field trip to New Zealand, one of the best natural laboratories in which to learn about geology. Apart from being dramatically different to Australia in terms of modern day geological activity, it is a ribbon continent with a complex assembly of allochthonous terranes, part of which was formerly part of Australia. It has hyperactive back arc volcanism, spectacular geothermal activity, very active seismicity and is one of the few countries in the world with glaciers at sea level. Some of the main concepts to be covered will be:

• Arcs and back-arc architecture, seismicity and volcanism
• Transpressional fault systems
• Geothermal springs and geothermal power
• The relationship of these to ore deposits
• Glaciers as a record of Holocene climate change
• Seismic hazards and engineering responses

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Explain the relationships between the ancient geological processes preserved in Australia and the young processes occurring in New Zealand.
2. Use new skills in interpreting evidence of deformation and origin of a fault structure.
3. Understand and interpret field evidence of the different mechanisms driving different types of metamorphism.
4. Prepare a stratigraphic log.
5. Understand and interpret field characteristics of geochemical processes.
6. Present an overview of a complex geological topic to a educated geoscience audience.

Presentation: 50%

Essays: 50%

This unit is offered at both Level 4 and Level 5, differentiated by the level of the assessment. Students enrolled in EAE5061 will be expected to demonstrate a higher level of learning in this subject than those enrolled in EAE4061. The assignments in this unit will use some common items from the EAE4061 assessment tasks, in combination with several higher level questions and tasks.

• 12 days fieldwork
• 56 hours of independent study

See also Unit timetable information

Master of Science