Introduction to Structural Geology

4 units

The landforms that surround us are being modified constantly by tectonic forces. Structural geology provides a framework for investigating, describing, and quantifying these changes. This course provides an introduction to the structures that form at all scales, from millimeter-sized fractures to plate-boundary-scale rifts. Topics include descriptive analysis of microscopic and macroscopic structures, field methods, the physical basis for rock deformation, and global tectonics. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory a week.