Global Plate Tectonics

Meeting: Mon-Wed-Fri, 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Instructor:
Professor Jonathan Lees
(313 Mitchell Hall; 962-0695; jonathan_lees@unc.edu)

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Course Description

Level: undergraduate

Prerequisites: One-variable calculus, trigonometry, high-school physics. G&G 110a helpful, but not required.

Requirements: 5-10 page term paper on a topic in plate tectonics, or a related topic in geology or geophysics, homework sets, mid-term and final exam.

Texts:
Cox & Hart, Plate Tectonics, How It Works
P. Keary & F. Vine, Global Tectonics

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Synopsis Plate tectonics has become the fundamental paradigm for earth sciences. The success of this theory lies in the fact that it accounts for a broad range of geological and geophysical observations, and organizes these observations into a relatively simple view of the evolution of the earth at a global scale. Our course will provide a general introduction to the concepts that underlie this theory with a particular emphasis on the tools that earth scientists use to describe the motion of plates on a sphere. The latter part of the course will provide examples of the application of plate tectonics in the interpretation of subduction zones, earthquakes, volcanoes, the birth of the Atlantic, the rise of the Himalayas, etc. The course is designed to be accessible to students with a general science background. Relevant physical, mathematical and geological concepts will be covered in the course. Majors outside of geology and geophysics are encouraged to take this course.

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Tentative Schedule:

Week 1: The Big Picture

READING: C&H chapter 1

W :  Plate Tectonics as a Scientific Revolution

F :  Fundamentals of Plate Boundaries and geometry of Plate motions

Week 2: Tools of Plate Tectonics

READING: C&H chapter 2

M :  Introduction to vectors and matrices

W :  Analysis of plate motions on a flat plane

F :  Geometry and stability of triple junctions

Week 3: Geometry, Motion And Map Projections On A Sphere

READING: C&H chapter 3 & 4

M : Introduction to spherical geometry: circles and points on sphere

W : Distances and generalized coordinates

F :  Constructing map projections

Week 4: Geometry, Motion ... (continued)

READING: C&H chapter 5

M : Transform faults; slip vectors and isochrons and their relation to Euler poles

W : Angular velocity vectors and angular velocity space

F : Plane vectors in local coordinates

Week 5: Kinematics of Faults and Earthquakes

READING: C&H chapter 6

M : Earthquakes: radiation patterns

W : Focal mechanisms

F : Earthquakes and plate boundaries

Week 6: Finite Rotations

READING: C&H chapter 7

M : Doing finite rotations graphically and algebraically

W : Uses and pitfalls of finite rotation

F : Plate rotations; moving Euler poles; best fitting poles

Week 7: Finite Rotations (continued)

READING: C&H chapter 7

M : Plate rotations determined from plate circuits and from hot-spots

W : Examples of global reconstructions



F: Midterm Examination

Week 8: Paleomagnetics Part 1

READING: C&H chapter 8

M : The earth's magnetic field

W : How rocks become magnetized

F : The magnetic field as a clock; sea floor anomalies and magnetostratigraphy



>>> Outline for Research Paper Due 




Week 9: Paleomagnetics Part 2

READING: C&H chapter 9

M : The magnetic field as a compass

W : Wander of the paleomagnetic pole: apparent versus true polar wander

F :  Paleomagnetic studies of drifting continents and displaced terranes

Week 10: What drives Plates

>>> Make appointment this week for planning topic for paper

READING: C&H chapter 10

M : Thickness of the lithosphere; evidence for convection in the mantle

W : Active versus passive plates

F  Dimensional analysis of plate driving forces

Week 11: Case Examples: Part 1

READING: to be assigned

M : Principle of isostatic equilibrium

W : Thermal subsidence of oceanic lithosphere and the effects of ocean depth and deep sea sediments

F :  Plate tectonics as a means towards forecasting earthquakes



 Thanksgiving Break



Week 12: Case Examples Part 2

READING: to be assigned

M : Rift and drift: the making of the Atlantic Ocean

W : Subduction zones of the Pacific Ocean: South Fossa Magna

F : Anatomy and evolution of the Cascadia subduction zone, NW United States

Week 13: Case Examples Part 3

READING: to be assigned

M : Continent-continent collision: the making of the Himalayas

W : Everything happens in California

F : Review


>>> Final Papers: due  5:00 PM end of reading week


>>> Final Exam:    Room 306 



Suggested Reading List

Problem Sets

MATLAB Functions and M-files