EPS 171:

An introduction to deformation of Earth materials, including mountain building and plate tectonics, faulting and earthquakes, folding, and ductile deformation. Forces acting on rocks and resultant strains will be examined for a variety of pressure and temperature conditions. Rock fracture and faulting will be studied through numerical approaches, analog experiments, geologic maps, and cross sections. Ductile deformation mechanisms will be examined through microscopic investigation of rock fabrics.

Labs will introduce modern applications of structural geology to the energy and environmental industries and for assessing earthquake hazards by using balanced cross sections, seismic reflection data, and satellite imagery. Furthermore, a series of new lectures and projects will introduce students to the geology of the major tectonic provinces, including mountain belts, rift basins, strike-slip margins, salt tectonic provinces, and passive margins, using advanced visualization and analysis tools. Portions of several lectures will be held in the Visualization Lab (Geologic Museum Rm. 220).