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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 2001 - 2018
Structural Geology is primarily concerned with the deformation of the solid Earth. We will see and learn about structures produced by deformation in outcrops, in geologic maps, in cross-sections and seismic profiles, 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.
What's the difference between EAS 421 and 521?
- EAS 421 is a second 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 have not taken EAS 233, or if you took EAS 233 before 2009, please let the instructor know.
- EAS 521 is a graduate-level version of EAS 421. It is aimed at graduate students in the Integrated Petroelum Geoscience program, but may be taken by other graduate students with permission of the instructor. EAS 521 is not suitable for graduate students who have already taken more advanced undergraduate courses in structural geology equivalent to EAS 421. If this is the case for you, you may be interested in EAS 541 Topics in Tectonics and Structural Geology.
- 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.
Resources
eClass page (for registered students)
Animations and images on this site are copyright © John Waldron 1998-2017. (For non-commercial, educational use of this material, contact john.waldron@ualberta.ca)
Topics covered in lectures, with supplementary materials
The sections below will populate as the course progresses.
- I Data and interpretation in structural geology
- II Plate Kinematics
- III Stress
- IV Rifts and passive continental margins
- V Strain and Deformation
- VI Introduction to orogens
- VII Foreland fold-thrust belts
- VIII Subduction and mélange
- IX Metamorphic belts
- X Rheology, progressive strain and flow
- XI Strike-slip tectonics
Other animations and links