Course 2024-2025

Structural geology [SGOLB301]

  • 3 credits
  • 15h+20h
  • 2nd quarter
Language of instruction: French / Français

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide the basic elements and current concepts to enable students to understand and analyse scientific studies related to these branches of Geology. In addition, at the end of the course, students should be able to write a geological report that is concise, accurate and correct.

Content

The first part of the course details the technique of stereographic projections in order to represent geological structures. The second part of the course focuses on the concepts of stress and strain. The respective markers of stress and strain in rocks are then detailed. Finally, the different fracturing mechanisms of rocks are analysed in the light of the stress representation using the Mohr circle and the Mohr-Coulomb fracture envelope. For the practical work, the students have two days in the field in Rochefort. The first day is devoted to measuring the direction and dip of the layers to calculate the flooding of a fold axis. The second day is devoted to fracture measurements. The data are processed using the "spheristat" software.


Teaching methods

After having learned to observe and describe geological objects during the first two years of the Baccalaureate, students progress in the acquisition of a scientific approach by learning to interpret and quantify through geological structures. In addition, the acquisition of a certain autonomy of learning and an ability to communicate are crucial elements for future professional geologists. The interpretative aspect is acquired during the theoretical course and the practical work by learning to establish a link between, on the one hand, the geological structures observed and, on the other hand, the concepts of stress and deformation. The quantitative aspect is addressed through exercises requiring the use of realistic parameters simulating the mechanical behaviour of rock materials. In addition, the use of stereographic projections is clearly a tool for future geologists to acquire the quantitative approach. The personal analysis of a scientific article and the oral presentation of a synthesis contribute to the learning of autonomous work and the ability to communicate. This general learning strategy contributes to providing future geologists with the necessary elements for their future career where they will be required to make decisions and take action.

Evaluations

Oral exam (synthetic presentation of a Structural Geology and/or Tectonophysics article) + written exam on the practical work.

Recommended readings

Ragan D. 2009. Structural geology: an introduction to geometrical techniques. Cambridge University press. ISBN 978-0- 521-89758-7 Pollard D., Fletcher C., 2008. Fundamentals of structural geology. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978- 0-521-83927-0

Language of instruction

French / Français

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree