Dr.
Liu -----------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
(1 hr)
Brief synopsis of the history of plate tectonics and the solid earth sciences
Part
II. Interior Structure of the Earth: (5 -Chapter 2)
A. Introduction
to Seismology (2 hr - sections 2.1 - 2.2)
Review of Basics: Seismic waves
Earthquake Location and Magnitude
Earthquake Focal Mechanisms, Refraction Seismology, and Reflection Seismology
Tomography and Seismic Anisotropy
B. Crustal
and Lithospheric Mantle (1hr - sections 2.4-2.8, 2.11, and 2.12)
Composition of the Crust
Moho and Lithospheric Mantle
Lithosphere-Asthenosphere
C.
Mantle Transition Zone, Lower Mantle, and D" (1hr - section 2.8)
Composition of the Earth's Mantle Transition Zone and Lower Mantle
Core Mantle Boundary and D"
D.
Inner Core and Outer Core (1- section 2.9)
Earth's Core: Seismology and Mineralogy
Core Dynamics and the Geodynamo
Part
III. Plate Tectonics: The Kinematics (4)
A.
Continental drift (1 hr - chapter 3)
Plate Rotations on a Sphere and Plate Reconstructions
Defining and Finding Euler Poles
Paleomagnetism and Polar Wander
B.
Seafloor spreading (1hr - chapter 4)
Marine magnetic anomalies and geomagnetic reversals
Seafloor spreading
Deep sea drilling results
C.
Framework of Plate Tectonics (2hr - chapter 5)
Seismicity Patterns and Plate boundaries
Plate motion models
Plumes and Hot spots: absolute plate motion
Geodetic Measurements of Plate Motions
Triple Junctions
Part
IV. Geodynamics (5 – section 2.10; chapter 11; reference books)
A. Stress,
Strain and Rock rheology (2 hr)
C.
Heat production and heat transfer (1 hr)
D.
Mantle Convection (1hr)
Thermal instability in the mantle
Mode of mantle convection
Implications for earth evolution
E.
Driving Force of Plate Tectonics: (1hr)
Review (1 hr)
Mid-term (1) Oct 12, 2007
Dr.
Cormier (Starting 10/8) ------------------------------------------------
Part
V. Geological Processes at Plate Boundaries
A.
Ocean Ridges, Plumes and Hotspots (chapter 6)
Mid-Oceanic Ridges and the Ocean Floor (1)
Lithospheric Structure beneath Ocean Ridges (1)
Magma Formation in the Upper Mantle and Global Volcanic activity (1)
Plumes and Hotspots, Plume-Ridge Interactions (1)
B.
Transform and Transcurrent Boundaries (chapter
6&7)
The Segmentated Mid-Ocean Ridges:
Transform & Non-Transform Offsets (1)
Continental Transform Faults (2)
C. Subduction
Zones (chapter 8)
Subduction Zones: The Nature of Down-going Slabs (2)
Metamorphism and Accreting Subduction Boundaries (1)
D.
Collisional Tectonics (chapter 9)
Structure of Collision Tectonics (2)
Continental Accretion and Delamination (1)
Alpine Himalayan Example (1)
E.
Rifts (chapter 10)
Crustal and Mantle Structure Beneath Rifts (1)
Petrogenesis of Rifts (1)
Origin of Rifts (1)
F. Presentations by students (3)