GEOS3101/3801 Earth’s Structure and Evolution: unit outline

Semester 1, 2009 6 credit points

Aims: The Earth’s crust and upper mantle, or lithosphere, are a consequence of dynamic and thermal
processes operating since the beginning of the Archaean. This unit focuses on information and
techniques that enable an understanding of these processes. The main topics presented in this unit
include: the formation and evolution of oceanic and continental lithosphere; structural deforma-
tion, magmatism and metamorphism at plate boundaries; and the mesoscopic and microscopic
analysis of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Practical classes are designed to enable students to
be competently and independently identify the common crystalline rocks in hand-specimen; and
to gather and interpret the structural field data which enables the determination of the structural
style and deformational history presented in particular tectonic settings. The concepts and content
presented in this unit are generally considered to be essential knowledge for geologists and geo-
physicists and provide a conceptual framework for their professional practice. Students wishing
to specialize in the field and become professional geologists will normally need to expand upon
the knowledge gained from this unit and either complete an honours project or progress to post-
graduate coursework in this field.

Lectures will be delivered at 9 am on Thursday in Madsen room 336. Students must attend all lec-
tures to derive benefit from this unit of study.

Practical classes will be delivered between 1 and 4 pm on Thursday in Madsen room 336. The practi-
cal exercises are oriented toward solving problems relevant to the unit objectives and all exer-
cises should be completed. Lecture notes will be available on-line through WebCT.

Assessment: 45%: two hour exam covering theoretical concepts mostly addressed in lectures
45%: practical reports
10% student presentation (week 10)
Three reaching staff each cover portions of the unit that will be weighted by time proportion.

Presentations: Students will be paired and assigned one or two topical research papers on a theme
relevant to the unit. Working together, you will prepare a 10 minute talk for delivery during week
10, and a typed 1-2 page synopsis of the topic that should include diagrams. To foster teamwork,
each student will deliver half of the talk; which half will be nominated on the day. Topics will be
assigned during week 1 to give you time to prepare the material; you are encouraged to consult
the teaching staff between weeks 1 and 9 with respect to preparation of the talk and synopsis.

Teaching Staff:
Geoffrey Clarke [email protected] unit coordinator
Patrice Rey [email protected]
Derek Wyman [email protected]

Timetable
More detail on how the material covered during each week fits together is given overpage.
Lecture title Practical title
Clarke
W1 Earth’s Chemical Structure Timing mineral growth
W2 Phase Equilibria of common rock types Integrating petrography and field relationships
W3 The igneous- metamorphic boundary Subduction Metamorphism
W4 Convergent Margin Metamorphism Processes in high-grade rocks
W5 Guest lecturer TBA
Rey
W6 Structural Geol, Tectonics, Geodynamics Maps, cross-sections and block diagrams
Approach & methodologies
Easter Break
W7 Geodynamics of subduction zones Folds, cleavages and vergences
Structural Geology of Subduction zones
W8 Geodynamics of continental collision Macroscopic fabric and microstructure
Structural geology of continental collision
W9 Geodynamics of mid-ocean ridge Palaeostress analysis
Structural geology of mid-ocean ridge
W10 Student Presentations Student Presentations

Wyman
W11 Subduction Zone Petrogenesis Subduction associations
W12 Intraplate Magmatic Processes Intraplate Igneous associations
W13 Divergent Margin Petrogenesis Petrography of Divergent Margin Rocks

Easter: April 10-17 Stuvac: June 8-12 Exam period: June 15-27
 This unit focuses on information and techniques that enable an understanding of how oceanic and continental
lithosphere form and evolve in the context of where Earth started and where it will probably end up. You will examine how
key structures, magmatism and metamorphism occur at at active lithospperic plate margins using a mix of conceptual
and problem-based learning. As most of the processes reflect time scales several orders of magnitude longer than our
lives, we study them using an understanding of the physical variables and the context of their end products (what we can
see). The restrictions of time and resources mean that we cannot see every rock type at each location on or in Earth, and
need to select material that illustrates unit objectives and leads you through the key issues in a learning environment.
Knowing what common rocks look like, and predicting their 3D relationships, are key roles in any geological pro-
fession. The first four weeks will be taken by Geoff who will take you through practical classes that involve the mesoscopic
and microscopic analysis of igneous and metamorphic rocks, where you will become competent in the identification of
the common crystalline rocks through solving mesoscopic and microscopic problems that reflect macroscopic processes.
Related lectures will address the fundamental parameters of how and why mineral equilibria change, and, as we can only
rarely observe the changes, methods that let us analyse and track such processes.
Having a sound understanding of the mesoscopic scale and microscopic processes, you will jump to the mac-
roscopic scale in weeks 6 to 9 when Patrice will lead you through the formation and evolution of oceanic and continental
lithosphere in the various plate settings. Patrice will explore the interplay of physical variables and their influence on litho-
spheric geodynamics emphasising both modeling and observational data.
In the last three weeks, Derek will examine how we can image the nature of Earth’s mantle using the geochem-
istry of the material it has rejected: magmatism at intraplate, divergent and convergent margins. It can be suprising how
informative very small amounts of certain elements can be sensitive to macroscopic processes.

You will also complete independent research by preparing a talk and synopsis on an assigned topic in week 10. To
compelte this task, you will need to access the University library and download appropriate material through the course of
weeks 1 to 9.

Weeks
Intensive variables : same values in all phases independent of the amount. Main exam-
ples are P, T and µi. Processes for equalisation of these are deformation, conduc-
tion and diffusion respectively.
Extensive variables: depend on the number of moles of the components in the system;
they have different values in phases which are in equilibrium.with each other. Ex-
amples are entropy (S), volume (V), and the number of moles (ni). 1, 6-8
mix of above determines phase state (solid/liquid/gas), mineral assemblage and rheol-
ogy

Nature of crystalline rocks 1-4

• mineral assemblage, texture and fabric

• rock type and formative process
• age - relative and absolute Earth Structure 11-13
• petrogenesis, metamorphic conditions, dynamic history • gross structure locked in after accretion
• context in region • energy loss drives change

Lithospheric setting
• convergent margin - subduction, orogenic
• divergent margin - oceanic, continental 6-9
• intraplate - oceanic, continental

Geodynamic interpretation 6-9

• processes controlling lithospheric and mantle evolution
• energy drivers for common geodynamic settings, static and
dynamic context
• relationship between geodynamic setting and rock type

Unit Outcomes

After completing Geos3101, you are expected to be able to:

• identify common rock forming minerals in hand specimen and microscope exaimation;
• interpret common mineral textures and fabrics, and rock unit relationships in the context of common geologic pro-
cesses;
• understand the processes responsible for key geodynamic setiings, their products and be aware of assumptions
underlying their interpretation; and
• when presented with a geological problem, observe and interpret the key data and relationships and provide a satis-
factory explanation or interpretation.
Textbooks for background reading

Bucher, K. & Frey, M., 1994. Petrogenesis of Metamorphic Rocks. Springer.

Comprehensive rewrite of Winkler’s dated but valued text.
Deer, Howie & Zussman,1992. An Introduction to the Rock Forming Minerals, 2nd edition. Longman.
Standard reference for mineralogy and mineral chemistry.
Dickin, Radiogenic Isotope Geology. Cambridge.
Recent text for isotopic petrology and geochronology.
Kearey & Vine, 1990. Global Tectonics. Blackwell.
Excellent summaries of geodynamics, though a rewrite will be released in 2008 (Kearey, Vine & Klepeis).
Marshak, S., 2008. Earth, Portrait of a Planet, 3rd edition. Norton & Co., New York.
This is the recommended first year text and covers many basic issues very well.
Rollinson, H.1993. Using geochemical data. Longman.
Great summaries of isotopic petrology, geochemistry and the uses of trace element data in petrology.
Spear, F.S., 1993. Metamorphic Phase Equilibria and P-T-t paths. Mineralogical Society of America, Monagraph.
Detail on what the title suggests, but this will take some time for you to get in.
Vernon, R.H. & Clarke, G.L., 2008. Principles of Metamorphic Petrology. Cambridge.
You received a preliminary copy of Chapter 1 last year, attached is Chapter 2.
Wilson, M. 1989. Igneous Petrogenesis, A Global Tectonic Approach. Chapan & Hall
Chapters 1-3 provide an excellent petrologic background.
Winter, 2001. Igneous and metamorphic Petrology.
Good coverage of some fundamental issues.
Yardley, B.W.D., 1989. An Introduction to Metamorphic Petrology. Longman.
An excellent and compact reference.

Presentation Themes
Was there a secular nature to metamorphism?
Brown, M., 2007. Metamorphic Conditions in Orogenic Belts: a Record of Secular Change. International Geology
Review, 49, 193-234.
Hargraves, R. B., 1986, Faster spreading or greater ridge length in the Archean: Geology, v. 14, p. 750–752.
Jahn, B., Caby, R., and Monie, P., 2001, The oldest UHP eclogites of the world: Age of UHP metamorphism, nature of
protoliths, and tectonic implications: Chemical Geology, v. 178, p. 143–158.
Valley, J. W., 2005, A cool early earth? Scientific American, v. 293, p. 58–65.

Blueschists – why are they special?

Ernst, W. G., 1972, Occurrence and mineralogic evolution of blueschist belts with time: American Journal of Science,
v. 272, p. 657–668.
Ernst, W. G., 2005, Alpine and Pacific styles of Phanerozoic mountain building: Subduction-zone petrogenesis of
continental crust: Terra Nova, v. 17, p. 165–188.
Maruyama, S., and Liou, J. G., 1998, Initiation of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and its significance on the
Proterozoic–Phanerozoic boundary: The Island Arc, v. 7, p. 6–35.

The extremities of metamorphism: UHT and UHP (2 topics)

Chopin, C., 2003, Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism: tracing continental crust into the mantle: Earth and Planetary
Science Letters, v. 212, p. 1–14.
Smith, D. C., 1984, Coesite in clinopyroxene in the Caledonides and its implications for geodynamics: Nature, v. 310,
p. 641–644.
Hacker, B. R., 2006, Pressures and temperatures of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism: Implications for UHP tecton-
ics and H2O in subducting slabs: International Geology Review, v. 48, p. 1053–1066.
Harley, S. L., 1989, The origins of granulites—a metamorphic perspective: Geological Magazine, v. 126, p. 215–247.
Hollis, J. A., Harley, S. L., White, R. W., and Clarke, G. L., 2006, Preservation of evidence for prograde metamorphism
in UHT HP granulites, South Harris, Scotland:Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 24, p. 263–279.
O’Brien, P.J. & Rötzler, J., 2003. High-pressure granulites: formation, recovery of peak conditions and implications for
tectonics. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 21, 3-20

Roles for fluids: open vs. closed system mineral equilibria

Camacho, A., Lee, J. K. W., Hensen, B. J., and Braun, J.,2005, Short-lived orogenic cycles and the eclogitization of
cold crust by spasmodic hot fluids: Nature, v.435, p. 1191–1196.
Clarke, G. L., Daczko, N. R., Klepeis, K. A. & Rushmer, T. 2005: Roles for fluid and/or melt advection in forming
high-P mafic migmatites, Fiordland, New Zealand. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 23, 557-67.
Phillips, G. N. 1980. Water activity changes across an amphibolite-granulite facies transition, Broken Hill, Australia.
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 75, 377-386.
Janardhan, S., Newton, R. C. & Smith, J. V. 1979: Ancient crustal metamorphism at low PH2O: charnockite formation
from Kappaldurga, south India. Nature, 278, 511-14.

What gets left behind from partial melting?

Chappell, B. W. & White, A. J. R. 1974: Two contrasting granitic types. Pacific Geology, 8, 173-4.
White, R.W. & Powell, R., 2002. Melt loss and the preservation of granulite facies mineral assemblages. Journal of
Metamorphic Geology, 20, 621-632.
White, A.J.R., Allen, C.M., Beams, S.D., Carr, P.F., Champion, D.C., Chappell, B.W., Wyborn, D. & Wyborn, L.A.I.,
2001. Granite suites and supersuites of eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 48, 515-530.
Collins, W.J. 1996. Lachlan Fold Belt granites: products of three-component mixing. Transactions of the Royal Soci-
ety of Endinburgh, 87, 171-181.

Collins, W. J. 1998: Evaluation of petrogenetic models for Lachlan Fold Belt granitoids: implications for crustal archi-
tecture and tectonic models. Geology, 30, 535-8.

Magma segregation and ascent mechanisms

Clemens, J. D. & Mawer, C. K. 1992: Granitic magma transport by fracture propagation. Tectonophysics, 20, 339-60.
Connolly, J. A. D., Holness, M. B., Rubie, D. C. & Rushmer, T. 1997: Reaction-induced microcracking: An experimen-
tal investigation of a mechanism for enhancing anatectic melt extraction. Geology, 25, 591-4.
Daczko, N. R., Clarke, G. L. & Klepeis, K. A. 2001. The transformation of two-pyroxene hornblende granulite to garnet
granulite: simultaneous melting and fracturing of the lower crust, Fiordland, New Zealand. Journal of Metamor-
phic Geology, 19, 547-60.
Hutton, D. H. W. 1992: Granite sheeted complexes: evidence for the dyking ascent mechanism. Transactions of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences, 83, 377-82.
Hutton, D. H. W. 1982: A tectonic model for the emplacement of the Main Donegal granite, NW Ireland. Journal of the
Geological Society of London, 139, 615-31.

Using accessory minerals to date metamorphism

Daniela Rubatto, Zircon trace element geochemistry: partitioning with garnet and the link between U-Pb ages and
metamorphism, Chemical GeologyVolume 184, Issues 1-2, 15 March 2002, Pages 123-138
Fitzsimons, J.C.W., Kinny, P.D., Wetherley, S. & Hollingsworth, D.A., 2005. Bulk chemical control on metamorphic
monazite growth in pelitic schists and implications for U-Pb age data. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 23,
261-277.
Harley, S. L., Kelly, N. M. & Möller, A. 2007: Zircon behaviour and the thermal histories of mountain chains. Elements,
3, 25-30.

Additional Reading for Patrice’s section of the unit.

Mantle Convection and Mantle Dynamics
Tackley, 2000: Mantle Convection and Plate Tectonics: Toward an Integrated Physical and Chemical Theory. Science,
v.288, 2002-20007
Romanowicz, B, Yuancheng Gung, 2002: Superplumes from the Core-Mantle Boundary to the Lithosphere: Implica-
tion for Heat Flux. Science, v. 296, 513-516.
Zhong, S, and M. Gurnis, 1995: Mantle Convection with Plates and Mobile, Faulted Plate Margins. Science, v.267,
838-843.
Scoppola, B, D. Boccaletti, M. Bevis, E. Carminati and C. Doglioni, 2006: The Westward Drift of the Lithosphere: A
rotational drag? G.S.A. Bulletin, v.118, 199-209.
Conrad, C. and C. Lithgow-Berteloni, 2002: How Mantle Slabs Drive Plate Tectonics, Science, v. 298, 207-209.
Cizkova, H., J. van Hunen, A. P. van den Berg, 2002: The Influence of Rheological Weakening and Yield Stress on the
Interaction of Slabs with th 670 km discontinuity. Earth Planetaru Scince Letters, v.199, 447-457.
van den Berg, A., P. E.S.G., Rainey and D. A., Yun, 2005: The Combined Influences of Variable Thermal Conductivity,
Temperature- and Pressure-Dependent Viscosity and Core-Mantle Coupling on Thermal Evolution. Earth Plan-
etary Science Letters, v. 149, 259-278.
Coltice, N., B.R., Phillips, H. Bertrand, Y. Ricard and P. Rey, 2006: Global Warming of the Mantle at the Origin of
Flood Basalts over Supercontinents. Geology, 35, 391-395.

Continental Break-Up and Sedimentary Basins

Gernigon, L., S. Planke, J.C. Ringenbach and B. Le Gall, 2006: Tectonic and Deep Crustal Structures along the Nor-
wegian Volcanic Margin: Implications for the “Mantle Plume or Not” debate. www.MantlePlumes.org
Gernigon, L., J.C. Ringenbach, S. Plank, and B. Le Gall, 2004: Deep Structures and Breakup along Volcanic Rifted
Margins: Insights from Integrated Studies along the outer Vøring Basin (Norway). Marine and Petroleum Geol-
ogy, v. 21, 363-372.
Gernigon, L., F. Lucazeau, F. Brigaud, C. Ringenbach, S. Plank, and B. Le Gall, 2006: A Moderate Melting Model for
 the Vøring Margin (Norway) Based on Structural Observations and a Thermo-kinematical Modelling: Implica-
tions for the Meaning of the Lower Crustal Bodies. Tectonophysics, v.412, 255-278.
Geoffroy, L. 2005: Volcanic Passive Margins. Comptes Rendus Geoscience, v.337, 1395-1408.
Corti, G., M. Bonini, S. Conticelli, F. Innocenti, P. Manetti and D. Soukoutis, 2003: Analogue Modelling of Continen-
tal Extension: a Review Focussed on the relations Between the Patterns of Deformation and the Presence of
Magma. Earth Science Reviews, v.632, 169-247.
Corti et al., 2003, Geophysical Research Letters
Wijns, C., Weinberg, R., Gessner, K. & Moresi, L. 2005: Mode of crustal extension determined by rheological layering.
Earth Planetary Science Letters v. 236, 120-134.
Rey, P. 2001: From Lithospheric Thickening and Divergent Collapse to Active Continental Rifting. in Miller, J.A., Buick,
I.S., Hand, M., and Holdsworth, R.E., (eds), Continental Reworking and Reactivation, Journal of the Geological
Society of London, v.184.

Mountain Belts Processes

Wittlinger G., P. Tapponnier, G. Poupinet, Jiang Mei, Dhi Danian, G. Herquel and F. Mason, 1998: Tomographic Evi-
dence for Localized Lithospheric Shear along the Altyn Tagh Fault. Science, v. 282, 74-76.
Shapiro, N.M., M.H. Ritzwoller, P. Molnar and V. Levin, 2004: Thinning and Flow of Tibetan Crust Constrained by
Seismic Anisotropy. Science, v.305, 233-236
Royden L. H. B. C. Burchfield, R. W. King, Erchie Wang, Zhiliang Chen, Feng Shen and Yuping Liu, 1997: Surface
Deformation and Lower Crustal Flow in Eastern Tibet, Science, v. 276, 788-790.
Rey, P., O. Vanderhaeghe, and C. Teyssier, 2001: Gravitational Collapse of the Continental Crust: Definition, Regimes
and Mode. Tectonophysics, v. 342, 435-449.
Boutelier, D., A. Chemenda and C. Jorand 2004: Continental Subduction and Exhumation of High-Pressure rocks:
Insights form Thermo-mechanical Laboratory Modelling. Earth Planetary and Science Letters, v. 222, 209-216.
Stockhert, B., and T. V. Gerya, 2005: Pre-collisional high pressure metamorphism and nappe tectonics at active con-
tinental margins: a numerical simulation. Terra Nova, v.17, 102-110.
Tikoff, B., C. Teyssier, C. Waters: 2002. Clutch tectonics and the partial attachment of lithospheric layers. EGU
Stephan Mueller Special Publication Series, 1, 57–73.
Rey, P. and N. Coltice, Geology, 2008: Neoarchean lithospheric strengthening and the coupling of Earth’s geochemi-
cal reservoirs. Geology, v.36, 635-638.
Duclaux, G., Rey, P., Guillot, S., and Ménot, R.P., 2007, Orogen-parallel flow during continental convergence: Numeri-
cal experiments and Archean field examples: Geology, v. 35, p. 715–718.
Rey P., and G. Houseman, 2006: Lithospheric scale gravitational flow: the impact of body forces on orogenic pro-
cesses from Archaean to Phanerozoic. In Buiter, S. J. H. & Schreurs , G. (eds) 2006. Analogue and Numerical
Modelling of Crustal-Scale Processes. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 253, 153–167.

Heat Generation and Heat Transport

Anderson, D. 2005: Energetics of the Earth and the Missing Heat Source Mystery. www.MantlePlume.org
Burg J.P. andT.V. Gerya, 2005: The role of viscous heating in Barrovian metamorphism of collisional orogens: ther-
momechanical models and application to the Lepontine Dome in the Central Alps. J. Metamorphic Geology.
v.23, 75-95.
Rey, P., P. Philippot and N. Thébaud, 2003: Contribution of mantle plumes, crustal thickening and greenstone blan-
keting to the 2.75–2.65 Ga global crisis Precambrian Research, v.127, 43-60.
Coltice, N., B.R., Phillips, H. Bertrand, Y. Ricard and P. Rey, 2006: Global Warming of the Mantle at the Origin of
Flood Basalts over Supercontinents. Geology, 35, 391-395.

Rheology of the Continental and Oceanic Lithospheres

Kohlstedt, D.L., B. Evans and S.J. Mackwell, 1995: Strength of the Lithosphere: Constraints Imposed by Laboratory
Experiments. Journal of Geophysical Research, v.100, 17587-17602.
Fernandez, M. and G. Ranalli, 1999: The role of rheology in extensional basin formation modeling. Tectonophysics, v.
282, 129-145.
Burov, E.B. and A.B. Watts, 2006: The Long-Term Strength of Continental Lithosphere:”Jelly Sandwich” or “Crème
Brûlée”? G.S.A. Today, v.6, 4-10.
Jackson, J. 2002: Strenght of the Continental Lithosphere: Time to Abandon the Jelly Sandwich? GSA Today, v. Sept,
4-9.
Pysklywec, R. N. and A. R. Cruden, 2004: Coupled crust-mantle dynamics and intraplate tectonics: Two-dimensional
numerical and three-dimensional analogue Modeling. Gcubed, v.5, 1-22.
Unworth, M.J., A.G. Jones, W. Wei, G. Marquis, S.G. Gokarn, J.E. Spratt, and the INDEPTH-MT team, 2005: Crustal
rheology of the Himalaya and Southern Tibet inferred from magnetotelluric data. Nature, 438, 78-81.
Watts, A.B. and S. Zhong, 2000: Observations of ¯exure and the rheology of oceanic lithosphere. Geophys. J. Int.
v.142, 855-875.
Dyksterhuis, S., P. Rey, D. Müller and L. Moresi, 2007: Effects of initial weakness on rift architecture. In Karner, G. D.,
G. Manatschal, and Pinheiro, L. M. (eds) Imaging, Mapping and Modelling Continental Lithosphere Extension
 and Breakup. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 282, 443 – 455.

Tectonic and Body Forces

Wittlinger G., P. Tapponnier, G. Poupinet, Jiang Mei, Dhi Danian, G. Herquel and F. Mason, 1998: Tomographic Evi-
dence for Localized Lithospheric Shear along the Altyn Tagh Fault. Science, v. 282, 74-76.
Hammond W.C. and W. Thatcher, 2004: Contemporary tectonic deformation of the Basin and Range province,
western United States: 10 years of observation with the Global Positioning System. Journal of Geophysical
Research, v.109, 1-21.
Hammond W.C. and W. Thatcher, 2005: Northwest Basin and Range tectonic deformation observed with the Global
Positioning System, 1999 – 2003, Journal of Geophysical Research, v.110, 1-12.
Flesch L.M., W.E. Holt, A.J. Haines and Bingming Shen-Tu, 2000: Dynamics of the Pacific-North American Plate
Boundary in the Western United States. Science, v.287, 834-836.
Lallemand S. and A. Heuret, 2005: On the relationships between slab dip, back-arc stress, upper plate absolute mo-
tion, and crustal nature in subduction zones. G-Cubed, v.6, 1-18.
Huisman R.S., Y. Y. Podladchikov, and S. Cloetingh, 2001: Transition form Passive to Active Rifting: Relative Impor-
tance of Asthenospheric Doming and Passive Extension of the Lithosphere. Journal of Geophysical Research, v.
106, 11271-11291.
Davis and Kuznir, 2002: Are buoyancy forces important during the formation of rifted margins?. Geophys. J. Interior,
v. 149, 524-533
Husson, L. and Y. Ricard, 2004. Stress balance above subduction: Application to the Andes. Earth Planetary Science
Letters, 222, 1037-1050.
Rey, P. 2001: From Lithospheric Thickening and Divergent Collapse to Active Continental Rifting. in Miller, J.A., Buick,
I.S., Hand, M., and Holdsworth, R.E., (eds), Continental Reworking and Reactivation, Journal of the Geological
Society of London, v.184.
Rey P., and G. Houseman, 2006: Lithospheric scale gravitational flow: the impact of body forces on orogenic pro-
cesses from Archaean to Phanerozoic. In Buiter, S. J. H. & Schreurs , G. (eds) 2006. Analogue and Numerical
Modelling of Crustal-Scale Processes. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 253, 153–167.
Rey, P., O. Vanderhaeghe, and C. Teyssier, 2001: Gravitational Collapse of the Continental Crust: Definition, Regimes
and Mode. Tectonophysics, v. 342, 435-449.
Duclaux, G., Rey, P., Guillot, S., and Ménot, R.P., 2007, Orogen-parallel flow during continental convergence: Numeri-
cal experiments and Archean field examples: Geology, v. 35, p. 715–718.

Criteria for the assessment of oral presentations

Goals in getting you to give a talk include giving you practice at the exercise and getting you to think about and
discuss themes relevant to the excursion. Due to the time frames in which geology operates, interpretations
of many processes are ambiguous and you should learn to critically appraise theories. So be prepared to ask
questions! Some topics are easier than others, and this will be considered in the assessment. However, when-
ever you give a talk, you can consider the following criteria, not all of which will apply to this exercise:

A: General presentation (30%)
1 INTRODUCTION - was it effective in laying the groundwork for body of talk 5%
2 DELIVERY - smooth and well paced 10 %
3 GRAMMAR and word choice 5%
4 TIMING-finish in time allowed 5%
5 SUMMARY / conclusion - organized and reinforced main points 5%

B: Visual aids (20%)
1 Could you read / COMPREHEND them? 10 %
2 SEQUENCE - was it appropriate? 5%
3 EFFECTIVENESS - in supporting conclusions 5%

C: Content and organization (40%)
1 LOGIC- logical and smooth progression from problem through study to result 10 %
2 SIGNIFICANCE - new and useful contribution? 10 %
3 RELEVANCE- of presented material to the task 10 %
4 CONCLUSIONS - well-supported and documented 10 %

D: Audience response (10%)

1 QUESTIONS - several, indicating audience interest 5%
2 REPLIES - well handled 5%