Geodynamics

Code:

GEOL1001

Acronym:

GEOL1001

Level:

100

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	22	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162
L:CC	0	study plan from 2021/22	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:CTA	52	Plano estudos a partir do ano letivo 2016/17	1	-	6	48	162
L:EG	16	The study plan from 2019	1	-	6	48	162
L:F	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
L:G	41	study plan from 2017/18	1	-	6	48	162
L:M	11	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To acquire basic and fundamental concepts of Earth internal and external dynamic processes, to understand their relationship and consequences.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended that students can understand and interpret:
- The internal and external geodynamic processes;
- The interdependence of these processes in the genesis of the rocks;
- The effects of these processes on the genesis of the relief / landscape.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction and basic concepts
1.1. Geology as a Science
1.2. The planet Earth: a first look of earth’s structure.
1.3. The lithological cycle.
1.4. From minerals to rocks: the more usual minerals.
2. Earth internal structure
2.2. Earthquakes, seismology and earth interior: behavior of the seismic waves
2.2. The Earth’s structure: crust, mantle and core.
2.3. Earth’s composition.
3. Earth’s dynamic
3.1. From continental drift to plate tectonics
3.2. Paleomagnetism and sea-floor spreading
3.3. Plate tectonics and consequences
4. Internal geodynamic processes
4.1. Introduction of igneous processes and igneous rocks.
4.2. Volcanism: Types, products and associated landforms.
4.3. Introduction to metamorphic processes and associated rocks. 
5. External geodynamic processes
5.1.Introduction to sedimentary processes and sedimentary rocks.
5.2. Slope processes: slope stability, erosion and slope evolution. Mass wasting.
5.3. Stream processes: stream dynamic and erosion processes. Fluvial morphology, and concept of longitudinal and equilibrium profile. Drainage basins and drainage networks. Erosion cycle and landscape evolution.
5.4. Coastal processes: dynamic of waves and marine streams. Erosion and deposition in coastal environments.
5.5. Glacial processes. Glaciations and climatic changes. Mechanisms of glacial flow. Glacial landscapes.
5.6. Eolian processes. Wind mechanisms of erosion and deposition. Landscapes in arid environments.
5.7. Karst processes: Structural, lithologic and climatic constrains in karsts. Morphology of karsts.

Practical contents

Geologic maps
Topographic maps
Scales
Geological sections
Compass
Rock hand samples
Field work

Mandatory literature

Grotzinger John; Understanding earth. ISBN: 0-7167-6682-5
Chernicoff Stanley; Geology. ISBN: 0-87901-451-2
Hamblin W. Kenneth 1928-; Earth.s dynamic systems. ISBN: 0-13-745373-6
Wyllie Peter J.; A Terra. ISBN: 972-31-0648-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

Chernicoff,S. & Venkatakrishnan,R., 1995. Geology. An introduction to Physical Geology. Worth publishers. New York.
Dercout, J. & Paquet, J., 1981. Geologia. Objectos e métodos. Livraria Almedina. Coimbra.
Grotzinger,J., Jordan,T.H. & Siever, R., 2005. Understanding Earth (5 th edition) W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.
Wyllie, P. J., 1976. A Terra. Nova geologia global. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Lisboa.


http://www.geopor.pt/index.html

http://www.apgeologos.pt/index.html


http://earthquake.usgs.gov/


http://www.meteo.pt/pt/sismologia/actividade/
.

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/


http://www.usgs.gov/science/science.php?term=639


http://medinaswcd.org/streams.htm

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	30,00
Teste	70,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	93,00
Total:	93,00

Eligibility for exams

According FCUP rules

Calculation formula of final grade

There are two ways of obtaining final approval/classification:

(1) The regular season consists in 3 components: two tests assessing the theoretical contents and an exam with the theoretical-practical contents.

T tests (worth 2/3)
TP final exam (worth 1/3)

A minimum score of 8 out of 20 is required for each assessment component. If the student does not obtain the minimum score in a component, he or she can only obtain approval at the time of the second examination.


(2) The second examination season consists in 2 components: a theory exam and an exam with the theoretical and practical contents.

T final exam  (worth 2/3)
TP final exam (worth 1/3)

A minimum score of 8 out of 20 is required for each evaluation component.