Course content

The course provides an overview of the Earth's tectonic evolution in the context of plate tectonics.

The first part of the course consists of lectures giving a systematic description of geological processes and the Wilson cycle, which include the formation of continental rifts and margins, oceanic spreading, transform faults, subduction, and island arcs, as well as continental collision and formation of mountain belts. The tectonic processes typical of the various stages of the Wilson cycle, and their significance for basin formation, deformation, metamorphism, and generation of magma, will be in focus in this part of the course.

The second part of the course concentrates on large-scale plate motions, paleogeography, and the link between plate tectonics and the Earth's interior. The course includes one week of obligatory field teaching where many of the phenomena discussed in the lectures are presented.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, you are able to

  • present geophysical and geological evidence for the processes operating in modern tectonic systems
  • analyse, assess and reconstruct the components of ancient tectonic systems
  • quantify and critically evaluate the nature of regional deformation from a variety of tectonic systems
  • communicate a coherent synthesis of a range of competing processes that may operate in a chosen tectonic setting