Introduction to Structural Geology - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Introduction to Structural Geology -Ge106-

Instructor:

Jean-Philippe Avouac (301NM;

avouac@gps.caltech.edu

)

Teaching Assistant:

Dustin Morris

dkmorris

@

caltech.edu

Administrative Assistant:

Lisa Christiansen (302NM, <

lisac@gps.caltech.edu

>)

Meetings

:

Location: MN215

Lectures: Tuesdays,

Wednesdays

and Thursdays, 3:00-4:00 p.m

.

Labs: ??

ftp site:

ftp://ftp.gps.caltech.edu/pub/avouac/Ge106/

2019

Happy New Year

Bonne

Annee

Jean-Claude Ringenbach

Synopsis:

- This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of structural geology. It is designed mainly for students with Ge1 background and an elementary background in mathematics and physics at the sophomore level.

- The components of the course include lectures, problem sets, labs, and a final exam.

Each student will have to make a presentation during the last week of instruction.

Grading:

Problem

and

lab

s

ets

50%Participation to class 20%Final Exam/Presentation 30%

I. Introduction to Structural Geology

-Ge106-

Textbooks

http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/caltech.htm

Fossen’s online modules:http://folk.uib.no/nglhe/

StructuralGeoBook.html

Visible Geology:

http://

app.visiblegeology.com

/

features.html

Sources used in Class MaterialThe material in the

ppt

presentions

includes material

which I have put together myself

kindly provided by some colleagues (John

Suppe

in particular)

downloaded from the

web;

extracted from publications. Caveats: I have done my best to credit all sources appropriately, my apologies to the authors for possible errors or omissions.

Purpose of Structural GeologyStructural Geology provides techniques to

interpret

geological and geophysical data in 3D(‘what is the current

geometry?

’) and 4D (‘what is the current geometry and how did we get there

?’)

Purpose of Structural GeologyStructural Geology provides techniques to

interpret

geological and geophysical data in 3D(‘what is the current

geometry?

’) and 4D (‘what is the current geometry and how did we get there

?’)

Data types:

Surface geology (intersection of 3-D bodies with the topographic surface)

Subsurface data: seismic, well logs, gravity, resistivity profiles

Microscopic observations…

A descriptive, but quantitative, discipline.Output:Geometric modelKinematic model

Mechanical Model (deformation mechanism, forces involved)

Structural geology concerns all scales.

Some amount of structural geology is necessary in nearly all areas of geology.

‘Structural Geology

’ and

‘Tectonics’

are intimately

linked.

Purpose of Structural Geology

In some instances, determining the geometry of rock structures is an end in itself. For example for geological resources exploration (oil and gas, coal, ore deposits,…) or engineering (tunnel, dams).

In tectonic studies the objective is generally a kinematic model that is intended to provide insight

into

the deformation

history, the

mechanisms governing

deformation and the driving forces.

Often the purpose is a

geometric

or

kinematic framework to help interpret non-structural data

(this is the case in most academic studies in geology).Purpose of Structural Geology

(Robinson, Geosphere, 2008)

Alpes

Pennines

Centrales

(

Argand

, 1909)

Large tangential motion can occur within continents as has long been inferred by geologist. ‘Thrust tectonics’ is not a new concept!

Emile

Argand's

classic view of Alpine evolution seen in stages in cross-section (oldest at the bottom, youngest at the top). Originally published in 1916.

Class OutlineDeformation of the lithosphere, an overview

Basic Techniques in Structural Geology and Tectonics

Basics of continuum mechanics

Deformation mechanism

Joints and fault mechanics

Architecture

and structural evolution of

orogenic

belts