Fieldwork and Key Skills for Geophysics and Geology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Accurately locate yourself in the field, and make essential field observations and measurements, including recognition of major rock types and geological structures and relationships between geology and landscape.
• Communicate effectively by writing reports with appropriate structure and referencing, and by making oral presentations.
• Assess environmental impact of human activities (e.g. mining, landfills etc.).
• Safely and systematically collect, analyse, interpret and present field data in the form of geological maps, sedimentary logs and geological cross-sections produced from field data. Accurately record field observations in a notebook, as notes, sketches or tabulated data.
• Use of GMT and unix shell scripting.
• Quantitatively analyse and interpret collected geological data using stereonet plotting.
• Use GMT software to analyse and present 1D and 2D data.
• Use a compass-clinometer with familiarity to measure geological structures.
• Data handling and reporting. Simple use of Unix computers.
• Be familiar with a wide range of sedimentary, volcanic, igneous and metamorphic rock types and morphologies and the appearance of volcanogenic mineralisation.

Two field courses will further develop your Geological field skills. such as geological mapping, production of geological cross-sections, field data interpretation, and more generic skills such as writing and analysis skills, and data manipulation or visualisation.

Your computing and geophysical data analysis skills will be developed during a series of computer practicals during the academic year, supported by tutorials that provide feedback on the practical sessions as well as helping to develop writing and presentation skills. The computer classes will include an extended exercise during which you will have to analyse and produce an integrated interpretation of multiple large geophysical datasets.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures/tutorials: To introduce the basics of data handling and analysis using the GMT software. To develop

skills in reading and assimilating scientific papers. To provide feedback and review sessions on the

computing practicals.

Computer Practicals: To give experience in using GMT on Linux computers, and lead to extended exercises in applied geophysical data analysis and reporting.

Ten-day residential field course, usually in Spain (or UK alternative), will develop the student's observation and mapping skills, necessary to complete a comprehensive geological map, cross-section, stratigraphic column and detailed notes in field notebooks. Fieldwork will include:- 5 days of staff-led exploration of the sedimentary basin fill and the basement rocks and mineralisation, and the environmental impact of mining - 0.5 days of introduction to the independent mapping area - 3.5 days of independent mapping of sedimentary rocks - 1 day of map interpretations and inking in.

Seven-day residential advanced field mapping course in Anglesey (Wales) will further develop the student’s observation, data recording and interpretation skills. This course will provide experience of mapping complex structures in metamorphic rocks and assessing impacts on the environment by past human activities.

Extensive study-guide handout is provided with background information about the field areas. Students are provided with a 3-D (red-green) topographic map to help orientation in the field, relating to remote-sensing skills taught previously. Support: is provided by staff and postgraduate demonstrators, including formative feedback during the fieldwork. A wide range of support is available for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal