526 Teaching Quantitative Structural Geology
This course focuses on three topics that typify a new approach to teaching structural geology at the undergraduate level using quantitative methods and taking advantage of modern computational and visualization tools. While traditional approaches emphasize deformation at a point or in a homogeneous domain, structural data usually represent heterogeneous deformation. To address these data, we consider physical fields where quantities such as stress, strain, displacement, and velocity vary in space and time, governed by equations of motion with suitable boundary conditions and constitutive properties. To provide a template for students to gain insight and build intuition, we introduce canonical problems for prototypical geologic structures, including fractures, faults, folds, fabrics, and intrusions. These idealized problems serve as measuring sticks for the more complex structures found in nature. To gather and analyze field data, we bridge the gap between traditional techniques of descriptive geometry and analytical tools of differential geometry using vectors and 3D visualization with Matlab to reach students who have difficulty thinking in 3D. Matlab experience is not a prerequisite. Upon completion of the course, a GSA bookstore voucher will be given for US$20.
Saturday, 21 September 2019
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Room 213A, West Building
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