Complementary Geology for Teaching (II)
Objectives
The objective of the Curricular Unit (CU) is to provide students with the knowledge and tools needed to understand the origin and development of Life on Earth recorded by the sedimentary rocks. At the end of the course, students must have acquired knowledge, skills and competencies that enable them to:
1) Identify the main stages of development of organisms over Earth''''s history through paleontological studies;
2) Be acquainted with paleontological methodologies;
3) Comprehend the concept of geologic time and, from it, recognize ways to measure it: isotopic and relative age;
4) Distinguish the different basic units of Stratigraphy (formal and informal) and the fundamental principles and exceptions;
5) Identify the external geodynamic processes leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks;
6) Identify and classify them in hand specimens and in thin sections;
7) Be acquainted with the geological resources of Portugal, formed in the sedimentary environment.
General characterization
Code
11404
Credits
9.0
Responsible teacher
Octávio João Madeira Mateus, Paulo Alexandre Rodrigues Roque Legoinha
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 56
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
No requirements.
Bibliography
MIALL, A.D. (2016) - Stratigraphy: A Modern Synthesis, 452 p.
MONROE, J.S. & WICANDER, R. (2015) – Historical Geology. Evolution of Earth and life through time. 8th edition, Brooks / Cole, Thomson Learning, 580 p.
SUGUIO K. (2003) - Geologia Sedimentar. Editora Edgard Blucher, 400p.
DIAS, R., ARAÚJO, A., TERRINHA, P. & KULLBERG, J.C. (Eds.) (2013) - Geologia de Portugal no contexto da Ibéria. 2 Vols: Vol I - Geologia Pré-mesozóica de Portugal; Vol. II - Geologia Meso-cenozóica de Portugal. Escolar Editora: (807 +798 p.).
IUGS - Stratigraphic Guide: https://stratigraphy.org/guide/
(Other — articles, websites, etc — according to the specificity of topics to be developed by students)
Teaching method
Theoretical lectures using multimedia. Practical classes on observation and classification of sedimentary rocks, and pratical exercises drawing lithostratigraphic columns, lithological correlation and interpretation of paleogeographic evolution. Field trip visiting outcrops with pedagogical features to illustrate sedimentological and stratigraphic concepts and observation of fossils.
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment with presentation of reports of practical work and study visit. The student will present written works, of synthesis, on themes proposed by the professors, as well as an oral presentation on these themes and their discussion with the professor and colleagues.
Subject matter
Geohistory and the evolution of Life on planet Earth. The role of Palaeontology and its methodologies; the concept of fossil and species in Palaeontology. Processes of fossilization. Macro and microfossils, facies and age fossils. Characterization of the major groups of fossils. The geological timeline; isotopic and relative ages. The fundamental principles of Stratigraphy and their exceptions. Formal and informal stratigraphic units. Eustasy. Paleogeographic and climatic reconstructions.
Sedimentary environments and resulting rocks. Analysis, description and classification of sedimentary rocks in hand specimen and thin section (under the microscope). Diagenetic phases and their role in modifying the physical and chemical properties of sedimentary rocks. The role of weathering and erosive agents in the formation of sedimentary rocks and modelling of landforms. The concept of sedimentary basin and exploration of geological resources with economic potential; examples in Portugal.