Introduction to Marine Geology

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Collection, manipulation and interpretation of data, e.g. seafloor swath bathymetry, sidescan sonar data, and interpretation of structural, sedimentological and sea level related features.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Be able to describe the main geological and geophysical techniques for observing the seabed and sub-seabed.
• Understand the driving forces behind, consequences, and importance of sea-level changes in the geological record.
• Be able to describe sediments found in different water depths and settings, and understand the sedimentary processes leading to their deposition.
• Understand the framework provided by Plate Tectonics.
• Have a solid grounding in marine geology.

The course has three major sections after an introductory lecture on marine geology which focusses on spatial and temporal scales and key geological concepts.

Section A:

Plate Tectonics and large scale earth processes. Historical development of plate tectonics. Mid Ocean Ridges, Subduction Zones, Plate Tectonic Cycle, Driving mechanisms. Sea Level changes.

Section B:

Sedimentology and sedimentary processes. Different types of sediments in the ocean basins and on their margins. Sediment processes - cohesive and non-cohesive sediments. Bedforms. Deltas. Estuaries. Tidal Flats. Continental Shelves. Coastal Processes. Deep sea sedimentation.

Section C:

Techniques for observing the ocean basins. Broad introduction to different techniques then focus on acoustic techniques. Seismic reflection. Multibeam bathymetry, and Sidescan sonar.

Learning & Teaching

• Formal Lectures: Will provide an introduction to the theory underlying marine geology. Each lecture systematically covers the main concepts and topics by the use of PowerPoint presentations, supported by illustrated handout materials. The lecturers' own experience in these fields is incorporated where possible. Appropriate references to parts of course textbooks and introductory journal references are provided at each lecture.
• Boat Practical: A demonstration will be given of the side-scan sonar technique on board one of the SOES research vessels in small groups.
• Practical: Interpretation of swath bathymetric and sidescan sonar data in terms of geological features affected by tectonic deformation, sedimentary processes and sea level change.
• Blackboard material: Much of the material is summarised at www.blackboard.soton.ac.uk. Instructions for accessing this material will be given during the course.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Contact hours: 25

Non-contact hours: 50

Summative

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