GEOS 417/517
SEDIMENTARY BASIN ANALYSIS, Spring, 2017
Course Outline
Instructor: Peter DeCelles; G-S 331; phone=621-4910; , office hours = Wednesday morning, 8.30-9.30, and by appointment
Course webpage, etc.: http://www.geo.arizona.edu/geo5xx/geos517/
Required Text: Allen, P.A. & Allen J.R., 2017, Basin Analysis, 3rd edition, Wiley
Other Useful Texts: Turcotte, D.L. & Schubert, G., 2014, Geodynamics, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press; Miall, A.D., Principles of Sedimentary Basin Analysis, Springer-V
Purpose of Course: This course is designed to deliver an understanding of how sedimentary basins develop and fill, and how they can be studied to determine aspects of tectonic and eustatic controls on subsidence and surficial processes. We will discuss in detail mechanisms of basin formation, especially flexural and thermal subsidence; isostasy; various schemes of basin classification; and sequence stratigraphy. In addition, we will address methods for determining sediment dispersal patterns and provenance, basin paleogeography, and sediment accumulation history. Finally, we will address several different types of sedimentary basins in terms of subsidence mechanisms, stratigraphic architecture, and tectonic setting. This course is not intended to convey a thorough survey of depositional systems or sedimentology. For these, you must take GEOS 544.
Content of Course: The following is a list of topics to be covered in the course.
1. Constitution of Earth and plate tectonics
2. Lithosphere mechanics
3. Aspects of strain in the lithosphere and crust
4. Isostasy
5. Basin classification schemes
6. Flexure of the lithosphere
7. Basins formed by flexure
8. Stretching and thermal subsidence of the lithosphere
9. Basins formed by rifting and thermal subsidence
10. Subsidence analysis
11. Sequence stratigraphy
12. Sediment provenance and provenance modeling
13. Paleocurrents and dispersal patterns
14. Methods of reconstructing paleogeography in sedimentary basins
15. Rudiments of depositional systems
16. Sedimentary basins in their tectonic settings:
i. foreland basins
ii. forearc basins
iii. trenches
iv. rifts & passive margins
v. strike-slip and pull-apart basins
vi. successor basins
vii. epicratonic sags
viii. ‘bobber’ basins
Grade Policy: Grades will be assigned on the basis of performance on two examinations, occasional homework problems, class participation, and a several-day field trip.
Important Note: This is a graduate level course, and therefore highly contingent upon the current interests of the professor. All of the above information is, therefore, subject to change.
Bureaucratic stuff that UA thinks is important (people are actually being paid sizeable salaries to create this)
The UA’s policy concerning Class Attendance, Participation, and Administrative Drops is available at: http://catalog.arizona.edu/2015-16/policies/classatten.htm
The UA policy regarding absences for religious reasons will be accommodated where reasonable, http://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/religious-accommodation-policy.
Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean Designee) will be honored. See:
http://uhap.web.arizona.edu/policy/appointed-personnel/7.04.02
The UA Threatening Behavior by Students Policy prohibits threats of physical harm to any member of the University community, including to one’s self. See: http://policy.arizona.edu/education-and-student-affairs/threatening-behavior-students.
Our goal in this classroom is that learning experiences be as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options. You are also welcome to contact Disability Resources (520-621-3268)to establish reasonable accommodations. For additional information on Disability Resources and reasonable accommodations, please visit http://drc.arizona.edu/.
If you have reasonable accommodations, please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.
Please be aware that the accessible table and chairs in this room should remain available for students who find that standard classroom seating is not usable.
Students are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss freely the principles and applications of course materials. However, graded work/exercises must be the product of independent effort unless otherwise instructed. Students are expected to adhere to the UA Code of Academic Integrity as described in the UA General Catalog. See: http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/codeofacademicintegrity http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/academic-integrity/students/academic-integrity.
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination, http://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/nondiscrimination-and-anti-harassment-policy
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