Course 12.710
Introduction to Marine Geology and Geophysics
FALL 2007
Instructors: Dan Lizarralde
Jerry McManus
Ken Sims
TA:
(WHOI, Clark, 260, x2942, danl@whoi.edu)
(WHOI, Clark 121, x3328, jmcmanus@whoi.edu)
(WHOI, Clark 247B, x2634, ksims@whoi.edu)
Lynne Elkins (WHOI, Clark 259, x3422, lelkins@whoi.edu)
Class Times, Places: Lectures – Tues./Thurs. 10:30-12:00, Clark 237
Labs/Discussion Sections – Time TBD
Course Description: An introduction to marine geology and geophysics for non-majors.
Topics include the geologic time scale, structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, marine
sedimentation and stratigraphy, depositional and erosional processes, submarine morphology,
paleoceanography, sea level changes, and the evolution of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic global
ocean and climate. This course is intended for non-G&G students as a single semester
course. There will be two 1 1/2 hour lectures each week. Problem sets will be regularly
assigned and there will be weekly discussion sections and occasional labs during the
semester.
Text/Readings: Because of the breadth of topics covered there is no single textbook that is
adequate for the purpose. Lecture notes will be distributed for each class along with reading
assignments in several relevant textbooks placed on reserve or in journals. Students are
responsible for the material covered in both the lectures and the reading.
Grading:
Mid-term exam - 25%
Final exam - 25%
Labs/Problem Sets - 50%
12.710 – Introduction to Marine Geology and Geophysics
FALL 2007, Tues./Thurs. 10:30-12:00, Clark 237
FORMATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH
9/6
(Sims)
Nucleosynthesis, Earth accretion
9/11
(Sims)
Differentiation and structure of the Earth
9/13
(Sims)
Geochronology/Geologic timescales
GEOCHEMICAL CONSTRAINTS ON SOLID EARTH PROCESSES
9/18
(Sims)
Plate Tectonics I: Overview of causes and effects
9/20
(Sims)
Plate Tectonics II: The Earth’s chemical signature
EARTH THERMAL STRUCTURE AND THE LITHOSPHERE
9/25
(Lizarralde)
Heat transfer and the thermal lithosphere
9/27
(Lizarralde)
Properties of the lithosphere and asthenosphere
10/2
(Lizarralde)
Processes of lithospheric evolution
PLATE BOUNDARIES AND IGNEOUS PETROGENESIS
10/4
(Lizarralde)
Tectonic and magmatic processes at convergent plate boundaries
10/9
Columbus Day
10/11
(Sims)
Arc petrogenesis and volcanism
10/16
(Sims)
Ridge petrogenesis
10/18
(Lizarralde)
Hotspots, LIPs, and plumes: Observations and controversies
10/23
(Sims)
Hotspot petrogenesis
GEOPHYSICAL METHODS AND OBSERVATIONS
10/25
(Lizarralde)
Seismology: Earthquakes and Earth imaging
10/30
(Lizarralde)
Potential fields, electro-magnetics, linear inverse theory
11/1
Mid Term
SEDIMENTS AND SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES
11/1
(McManus)
Fluvial and coastal sedimentation
11/6
(McManus)
Marginal sedimentation, sequence stratigraphy
11/8
(McManus)
Deep-sea sediments: composition, distribution
11/13
(McManus)
Biological, chemical, and physical abyssal processes
PALEO-OCEANOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
11/15
(McManus)
Dating methods and the sedimentary record
11/20
(McManus)
Paleothermometry
11/22
Thanksgiving
11/27
(McManus)
Deep water chemistry and atmospheric p(CO2)
11/29
(McManus)
Ocean chemistry and continental weathering
12/4
(McManus)
Astronomical climate theory
12/6
(McManus)
Sedimentary records of abrupt climate change
12/11
Final Exam
R12.710 Recommended Textbooks
(on reserve in Lindgren Library, Building 54, MIT, and in Clark 237, WHOI)
Fowler, C.M.R., The Solid Earth, Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Kennett, J., Marine Geology and Geophysics, 1982.
Broecker, W., The Glacial World According to Wally, 1995.
Seawater: Its composition, properties and behaviour, The Open University, 1989.
Ocean Chemistry and deep-sea sediments, The Open University, 1989.
Stacey, F.D., Physics of the Earth, 3rd Edition, Brookfield Press, 1992.
Turcotte, D.L. and G. Schubert, Geodynamics, Wiley & Sons, 1982.
Cox, A., Plate Tectonics and Geomagnetic Reversals, W.H. Freeman and Co., 1973.
Boggs, S., Jr., Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Merrill Publishing Co., 1987.
Einsele, G., Sedimentary Basins - Evolution, Facies, and Sediment Budget, Springer-Verlag,
1992.