TECTONICS (GLY 6424)

Section 9635

Time: MWF Period 2 (8.30-9.20)

Place: WM 218

Instructor: J. Channell (Office: WM 219)

Text (optional): "Global Tectonics" by P. Kearey and F.J. Vine

(Blackwell Scientific Publications) 1996

ISBN 0-632-02424-0 (paperback)

Grading: Individual assignments: 25%

Mid-term exam: 35%

Final: 40%

1. General Background

1.1) Division of the Earth's interior

1.2) Isostacy

1.3) Satellite altimetry

1.4) Geothermal gradient and heat flow

1.5) Marine magnetic anomalies, paleomagnetism (paleogeography/timescales)

1.6) Global seismicity and focal mechanisms

2. Plate Tectonics

2.1) Evolution and breakup of Pangea

2.2) Classification of plate boundaries

2.3) Triple junctions and Velocity -Space diagrams

2.4) Euler poles of rotation

3. Divergent Plate Boundaries, Passive Margins, and Basin Analysis

3.1) Continental rifting and evolution to oceanic rifting

3.2) Passive margins: structure and development

3.3) Cratonic basins

3.4) Backstripping and basin analysis

4. Convergent Plate Boundaries

4.1) B-subduction (ocean-ocean & ocean-continent convergence). Examples from the western Pacific (Marianas), Andes, and western cordillera of North America.

4.2) A-subduction (continent-continent convergence). Examples from the Himalayas and Appalachians.

4.3) Episutural basins. Examples from the Alpine belt of Europe.

5. Conservative Plate Boundaries

5.1) Transform faults and wrench fault tectonics

6. Mantle convection and the driving forces of plate motion.

6.1) Hot spots

6.2) Configuration of mantle convection

6.3) Driving forces of plate motion