05-BMG-EE1-a Introduction to Earth Dynamics

This module deals with the main principles of geology and dynamics of Earth, and with the main processes which shape our planet. The lecture will provide an understanding of the distribution of constituents in core, mantle and crust and of the interaction between plate tectonics and volcanism with hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere and biosphere as well as of the rock cycle. This theoretical background will be implemented by practical exercises to recognise rock-forming processes and rock-building minerals of sedimentary, igenous and metamorphic rocks in the laboratory and in the field. Basic skills of geological fieldwork will be devoloped during a four-days integrated field trip to the Harz Mountains.

1) students gain an understanding of processes acting in the Earth system and are able to recognise them in rocks as well as in the field
2) understand basic geological and mineralogical concepts related to the rock cycle
3) address and recognise the main rock-forming minerals and rocks
4) apply autonomously simple geological mapping techniques in the field

Course Type 1: Lecture (L) 2.0 SWS ( 28.0 h)

Course Type 2: Exercise (E) 2.0 SWS ( 28.0 h)

Course Type 3: Field Exercise (F) 2.0 SWS ( 28.0 h)

Tutorial(s): -

84.0 h presence time
56.0 h self-study
40.0 h exam workload

180 h total workload

partial exam

exam elements: 1
SL: 1

100 % oral exam
0 % Other form of examination

Other form of examination: Assessment of field competence (4-days fieldexercise = BMG-EE1-3)

1) Press and Siever (2019), Understanding Earth (4th edition), WH Freeman, 697 p.
2) Jhariya, Vishwakarma, Diwan (2017), Essentials of Geological Fieldwork, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 84 p.
3) Fischer and Pätzold (2019), Skript zur Übung Gesteinskunde (in German; translation coming)