COURSES
G&G 100 NATURAL DISASTERS. Mark Brandon and David Bercovici
We live on a dynamic, unpredictable and hostile planet. Threatening events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, landslides, meteoric impacts, space weather, and tornadoes are unavoidable aspects of life on Earth. These can have disastrous effects on vulnerable communities and ecosystems. By understanding how and where hazards occur, what causes them, and what circumstances increase their severity, we can develop effective strategies to reduce their damage and toll in human lives. This course will introduce students to a range of environmental hazards that threaten communities. Students will be instructed in the physical processes that lead to geologic hazards on Planet Earth, starting with an introduction to earth structure, plate tectonics and global climate. The course will also concern very large events, such as the Cretaceous-Tertiary impact that caused extinction of the dinosaurs, flooding of the Black Sea 7000 years ago, which might be the source for the flood legend, and the periodic decay of Earth's magnetic field. The course is designed for both science and non-scienc
G&G201 MANTLE DYNAMICS, EARTHQUAKES, AND VOLCANOES. Jun Korenaga and Mark Brandon
Quantitative introduction to an integrated study of the dynamics of Earth's interior and its surface manifestation such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Emphasis is placed on understanding various geological phenomena with a simple yet unifying framework of mantle convection in the cooling Earth. How this internal dynamics affects human environments both in the short and long terms is also covered. Weekly lab sessions are used to familiarize students with the spatial and temporal scales of geological processes through mini field excursions.
G&G 212 GLOBAL TECTONICS. Mark Brandon and David Evans.
The architecture of continents and oceans, and detailed geology of lithospheric plate margins and mountain chains. Important examples of plate-interaction histories from the ancient geological record emphasize the interdisciplinary approaches used by tectonicians to determine a wide range of interlinked Earth-system processes, involving the mantle, crust, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The course features an optional field trip during Spring Break.
G&G 503 GEOCHRONOLOGY AND TECTONICS. Peter Reiners and Mark Brandon.
This course starts with an introduction to basic concepts, such isotopic decay and production, diffusion in minerals, and thermal conduction and advection in the crust. We then consider various dating methods, including Rb/Sr, K/Ar, U/Pb, fission-track, (U-Th)/He, and various cosmogenic methods. This will be followed by a detailed examination of selected examples of how geochronology has been used to study tectonic and geomorphic processes.
G&G 744 READING SEMINAR IN GEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOPHYSICS. Jun Korenaga and Mark Brandon.
G&G 752 SEMINAR IN STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS. Mark Brandon
Advanced topics in structural geology and tectonics, such as, finite strain, interpretation of deformation fabrics, and theory and observation behind the orogenic wedge concept. Requirements include extensive literature reading, some class presentations, and a final project or paper.
DEPARTMENTAL FIELD TRIPS
Summer, 1989: Two-week trip across Newfoundland
Summer, 1994: Two-week trip in central and southern California
Summer, 1996: Two-week trip in European Alps, including Germany, Switzerland and northern Italy
June 14-29, 1998: Two-week trip to northern Italy to study geology of the Apennines.
May 31-June 15, 2000: Two-week trip to Crete, Naxos, Syros, and Tinos, in the Aegean, Greece.
March 9-24, 2002: Two-week trip to the SW United States.
August 1-13, 2004: Two-week trip to western Norway.
Aug 10-25, 2006: : Two-week trip across the North American Cordillera (SW Canada and Washington State).
March 13-24, 2007: 11 day trip to southern Italy