Content: Rifted margins, mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones are key elements of the Earth’s plate tectonic cycle. This lecture deals with geophysical methods, data and models to characterize their properties, understand their kinematics and discuss the geodynamical implications. Geophysical evidence from earthquake seismology, reflection and refraction seismics as well as heat flow, magnetic and gravity measurements are used. Exercises are carried out using simple numerical modelling techniques.
Competences: Learn and understand:
1- the main geophysical characteristics of rifted margins, oceanic ridges and and subduction zones.
2- the physical principles driving the tectonic architecture in these areas.
3- the geophysical methods used to explore these areas and their working principles.
Assessment: Students will be given a group exercise to work on. The results will be presented in a short oral presentation at the end of the course.
Exam Form: Mündliche Gruppenprüfung
Literature: 1) Turcotte, D. L. & G. Schubert (2002): Geodynamics: Applications of Continuums Physics to Geological Problems. John Wiley and Sons, New York
2) Basin Analysis: Principles and Applicatin to Petroleum Play Assessment, Allen and Allen, Willey - Blackwell
3) Mid-ocean ridges, Searle, Cambridge University Press
4) The oceanic crust, from accretion to mantle recycling, Juteau and Maury, Springer