Marine Geology

Code:

MA115

Acronym:

GM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geology

Instance: 2009/2010 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Aquatic Production
Course/CS Responsible:	Aquatic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCMA	38	Plan 2007 to 2011	1	-	5	48	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Understanding of the main geological phenomena through a global approach that involves the genesis, composition and evolution of our Planet assuming Earth as a dynamic system where processes occur as an interactive cycle involving both the Earth interior and their external effects in the atmosphere, biosphere and oceans. To be aware of the importance of Geology in the assessment and management of natural resources of the seafloor as well as in the prevention of natural hazards associated with marine activity in coastal systems.

Program

1.Geology as a science
1.1. Aims of Geology
1.2. Interdisciplinarity aspects
1.3. The historical evolution of Geology
1.4. The problem of spatial and time observation scale of the geological phenomena

2.The Earth Planet
2.1. From the continental drift to Plate Tectonics
2.2. The geological and tectonic cycles.
2.3. The Wilson cycle
2.4. Primary geochemical differentiation of the Earth: average composition of the crust and the mantle
2.5. Arguments in favour of the seafloor spreading
2.6. Distribution of the continental and ocean forms and of volcanic and seismic activities: their relation with the plate boundary movements
2.7. Isostasy and gravity anomalies. Pratt and Airy isostasy models


3. The Oceans and geological resources
3.1. Lithological composition of of the ocean floor
3.2. Mineralogical composition of the sea floor forming rocks
3.3. Genesis of oceanic geological resources
3.3.1. Main oceanic ore resources

4. The coastal systems integrating oceanic systems
5. Dynamics of coastal systems
Mean Sea Level (MSL) changes in Earth history
1st to 4th order eustatical levels
MSL changes during the XXth century
Natural causes of MSL changes
- glaciations
- Earth dynamics
- other natural factors
Anthropic causes for MSL changes
- climate changes as a consequence of the burning of fossil fuels - changes in the occupation of Earth surface
The Portuguese Continental littoral
The importance of littoral systems
Littoral types
Definitions of coast, coastline, beach and littoral
Morphologies in sandy littorals and in rocky littorals (of 1st and 2nd order)
Littoral at risk (zones of accelerating erosion)
The coastal processes in littoral evolution
6. Morphodynamics
7. Hydrodynamics
8. Nomenclature of coastal forms
9. Methodologies of coastal monitorization
10. Why study the coast line
11. Brief reference to the main Marine Geology projects developed in Portugal

Mandatory literature

Grotzinger, Jordan, Press, and Siever ; understanding Earth, W H Freeman & Co, 2007

Teaching methods and learning activities

Thoretical and theoretical-practical classes

Software

Windows Office

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	50,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

According to the Institute rules

Calculation formula of final grade

Classification from zero to twenty, comprising 75% from the final examination classification and 25% from the written and oral presentation based on the work developed during the theoretical and practical classes