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McConnel Thrust at Mount Yamnuska, AB
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Structural Geology and Tectonics EAS 421/521
© John W.F. Waldron 1998 - 2010
Structual Geology is primarily concerned with the deformation of the solid Earth. We see structures produced by deformation in outcrops, in geologic maps, and under the microscope. The Structural Geology and Tectonics course is concerned with understanding, and where possible measuring, the deformation that produced those structures. We use this information to understand both the tectonic causes of deformation and the importance of structures for exploration of the Earth's lithosphere.
Like the lithosphere, this site is permanently under construction: please be patient if not all the links are connected yet
If you are a member of the class and you see a broken link or other problem, please email the instructor john.waldron "at" ualberta.ca!
New for 2010
- EAS 421 is an second undergraduate course in structural geology and tectonics, built upon the foundation of EAS 233 'Geologic Structures'. You should take EAS 421 if you want a broad understanding of the processes that have moved plates, deformed rocks, and built mountains, over 4 billion years of Earth history. If you are registered in EAS421 and you took EAS 233 in 2008 or before, please let the instructor know before the first week of classes. Because EAS233 covered slightly different material before 2009, some special additional material may be provided.
- EAS 521 is a graduate-level version of EAS 421. It is aimed at graduate students who have completed an undergraduate program with only one structural course, equivalent to EAS 233. EAS 521 is not suitable for graduate students who have already taken an advanced undergraduate course in structural geology equivalent to EAS 421. Students who register in EAS 521 will attend the same lectures and labs as EAS 421 students, but the assigned work will involve some different components, appropriate to graduate-level study. EAS 421 and 521 will be marked and graded separately.
Topics covered in lectures
Principles
- Geometry: Lines and Planes
- Geometry: Orientation data statistics
- Notes
- Schmidt net (pdf), Wulff net (pdf) (15 cm diameter; if printing these nets for class, please ensure that options like 're-size to fit paper' are turned off in your printer driver.)
- Kinematics: Plate tectonics
- Kinematics: Strain
- Dynamics: Stress
- Reading: Earth Structure Ch. 3 (p. 40-61)
- Notes
- Dynamics: Rheology
- Brittle behaviour. Reading: Earth Stucture: Ch. 5; Ch 6.
- Rifts and extension
- Reading: Earth Structure Ch. 16 (except section 16.3)
- Notes
- Orogens and shortening
- Introduction
to orogens
- Reading: Earth Structure Ch. 17 (section 17.2-17.6)
- Notes
- Subduction and mélange
- Reading: Earth Structure Ch. 17 (section 17.1, 17.2)
- Notes
- Foreland fold-thrust belts
- Reading Earth Structure Ch. 18
- Slate belts
- Reading: Earth Structure Ch. 11
- Notes
- Metamorphic belts
- Deformation, metamorphism and time: Reading: Earth Structure Ch. 13
- Core complexes and extension within orogens: Reading: Earth Structure Section 16.3
- Notes
- Strike-slip tectonics
- Reading: Earth Structure: Ch. 19
- Notes
Representative evaluative material
- Final test sample format and questions from previous tests
- Mid-term test sample format and questions from previous tests
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Animations and web-pages shown in lectures
Note: most of the animations here are © John Waldron 2010. They are made available for non-commercial, educational use provided their source is acknowledged and this notice is included when they are displayed; please contact John Waldron john.waldron@uaberta.ca for conditions of use.
Reference
Animations and images on this site are copyright © John Waldron 1998-2010. (For non-commercial, educational use of this material, contact john.waldron@ualberta.ca)