Course content

The course offers a summary of the Earth’s geological evolution in the context of plate tectonics.

After brief reminders about basic geological concepts, we will get an in-depth knowledge about the Earth interior, through insights into the seismology, gravity, isostasy disciplines.

Then, based on the concept of the Wilson Cycle, we will get an overview of the geological processes that are at work in the Earth’s principal tectonic environments such as rifts, rifted margins, oceanic ridges, subduction zones and mountain belts.

The mechanisms of plate tectonics will be investigated, discussing the physical forces that control mantle convection, and its dynamical interaction with the plates.

Learning outcome

The aim of the course is to give fundamental knowledge about the various tectonic environments (rifts, rifted margins, subductions, mountain belts, oceanic ridges) with insights into the related physical processes.

Competence

Students completing this course will be able to:

- Apply tectonic principles to interpret geological and geophysical data in various tectonic settings.

- Contribute to regional geological assessments by integrating tectonic understanding with other geological processes.

- Discuss and communicate the role of tectonics in shaping Earth’s lithosphere and its relevance to geological mapping, resource exploration, and geohazard evaluation.

Knowledge and Skills

Students will gain the ability to:

- Explain the main tectonic regimes (e.g., rifts, subduction zones, mountain belts, oceanic ridges) and the geological processes operating within them.

- Select the adapted geophysical and geological methods (e.g., seismic reflection, gravity, isostasy) to investigate tectonic structures and dynamics.

- Interpret large-scale seismic reflection profiles, particularly in rift and rifted margin settings.

- Use plate reconstruction software (GPlates) to analyse tectonic plate movements through geological time.

- Organize and evaluate geoscientific data to place local observations into a broader regional tectonic framework.

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of Lectures and Exercises sessions, and compulsory exercises.

The exercise sessions will focus on: 1. Seismic interpretation of archetype examples of rifts, rifted margins and fold and thrust belts settings; 2. Tectonic plate reconstructions with an introduction to the GPlates software.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Required previous knowledge

TGB4100 Geology, Introduction and TGB4150 Structural Geology, Basic Course.

Course materials

Lectures notes and exercises.