Stratigraphy and Paleontology

Objectives

Development of skills in the field of stratigraphic records and analysis the identification of fossils. Preparation, understanding and interpretation of stratigraphic columns.
Analysis and interpretation of rock sequences, characterization of their relationship in space and time. Analysis of facies successions and their interpretation in terms of evolution of sedimentary environments. Definition and characterization of units stratigraphy and its application. Understanding and handling of International Chronostratigraphic Chart.

General characterization

Code

13244

Credits

3.0

Responsible teacher

Ligia Nunes de Sousa Pereira de Castro, Paulo Alexandre Rodrigues Roque Legoinha

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 50

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

BROOKFIELD, M. (2004). Principles of Stratigraphy. Blackwell, Malden, Oxford, Carlton, 340 pp.
CONDIE, K.C. & SLOAN, R. (1998). Origin and evolution of Earth. Principles of historical geology. Prentice-Hall, 498 pp.
DABRIO, C. & HERNANDO, S. (2003). Estratigrafia. Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Colección Geociencias, 382 pp.
MONROE, J.S. & WICANDER, R. (2000). Historical Geology. Evolution of Earth and life through time. Brooks/Cole, Thomson Learning, 580 pp.
VERA TORRES, J.A. (1994). Estratigrafia, principios e métodos. Ed. Rueda, Madrid, 806 pp.

Teaching method

Theoretical lectures with multimedia support.
 
Practical lessons with resolution of exercises concerning Stratigraphic concepts, drawing of lithostratigraphic columns from field descriptions, tentative of correlations and interpretation of paleogeographic evolution.
 
Field trip: observation and explanation of some pedagogical outcrops where stratigraphical concepts can be shown and aplied.

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment: 2 tests (theoretical) and 2 group practical assignments.

Attendance of 2/3 of classes is mandatory.

Final classification: average of the classifications obtained in the tests (50%) and the assignments (25%+25%). Performance with grade >= 9,5/20.

Students who frequently  fail may be given the opportunity to take an exam.

Subject matter

Theoretical
Fundamentals of Stratigraphy. Definition and objectives. Historical aspects. Stratigraphic Classification. Dimension "time". Rock systems and time periods. Principles of Stratigraphy.
Discontinuities. Facies. Sequential analysis. Paleogeography. Stratigraphy of events. Lithostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic, biostratigraphic units. Stratotype. Chronostratigraphical and geochronological scales. Paleobiogeographic, Palaeoecology. Methods of physical and geochemical stratigraphy. Correlations. Global syntheses.
Geohistory. Precambrian. Paleozoic. Caledonic and Hercinian or Variscan Orogenic cycles. Mesozoic. Alpine orogenic cycle. Paleoclimatology. Cenozoic. Continuation of the Alpine orogenic cycle, paroxysmal phases. Paleogeography. Paleoclimatology.

Practices
Exercises involving concepts of stratigraphy and lithostratigraphic column design, interpretation.
Field trip, visits to exemplary illustration of outcrops of stratigraphic concepts.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: