Dynamic geology - selected issues 1300-OGDZW3W
Geology as a science in permanent development. Geological processes and their diversity. The rate of geological processes. Geological time and its measures. Rocks and minerals as an “archive” of geological processes (quasicrystals, nanominerals, biominerals). Problems and controversies of planetary tectonics. Plate tectonics versus mantle plumes. Selected problems of magmatism and metamorphism. Large Igneous Provinces (LIP). Generation of magma. Migmatites. Ultra-high-pressure metamorphism (UHPM). Impacts. Torino scale. Causes and prediction of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Volcanic hazards (lava lakes, pyroclastic flows, eruptive columns). Kimberlites and carbonatite lavas. Jökulhlaup. Cryovolcanism. The weathering zone. Weathering versus deterioration. Weathering and relief asymmetry. Expansive hydration of anhydrite. Soil-forming processes and selected soil types. Lakes in Earth history, their hydrography and sediments. Eutrophication of lakes and its causes. Reclamation of lakes. Meromictic lakes. Lake Kivu as a methane deposit. ‘Killer’ Lake Nyos and limnic eruptions. Heliothermal lakes and their use. Submarine brine pools. Smokers. Evaporites and the chemical evolution of seawater, its causes. Stromatolites. Microbialites. Selected aspects of salt tectonics. Salt allochthons and salt glaciers. Karst processes as a geohazard. Human influence on geological processes - the record of this influence in sediments. Holocene evolution of the Vistula. The Aral catastrophe and its causes. The drying up of the Dead Sea. Global warming – geological aspects.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Detailed knowledge concerning the selected geological processes relevant to the human environment, allowing a more comprehensive understanding of the changes that occur in rocks and in sediments at the surface of the earth, and of the threats carried by some geological processes. Understanding the Polish and English terminology concerning the egzodynamical processes.
Assessment criteria
Written test or oral test.
Practical placement
none
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
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