Structural Geology

4 units

The landforms that surround us are constantly being modified by tectonic forces. Structural geology provides a framework for investigating, describing, and quantifying these changes. This course will provide an introduction to the structures that form at all scales, from millimeter-sized fractures to rifts in Earth's lithosphere thousands of kilometers long. Through the study of these features and processes that form them, students will gain a fundamental understanding of the physical evolution of our planet. Topics will include descriptive analysis of microscopic and macroscopic structures, field methods, the physical basis for rock deformation, and global tectonics.