THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY GEOL 260: STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY

THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
GEOL 260: STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Keith Klepeis
TA: Jeffrey Webber
Lecture & Lab: 11:15-2:15 Tues, Thurs Delehanty 101
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This course introduces you to the practical techniques and concepts used in modern structural
geology. The analysis of geological structures and the forces that drive crustal deformation represents
an important part of interpreting the architecture of our planet and the processes by which it evolves.
This branch of geology also has many practical applications such as evaluating geological hazards,
including landslides and earthquakes, engineering geology, hydrogeology, soil and material sciences,
and resource exploration. This course builds on many of the analytical techniques and skills you
learned in field geology and in other geology courses.
Photograph of a recumbent fold from Patagonia.
COURSE GOALS:
This course is designed to help you develop new analytical techniques and skills that are useful
in solving geological problems. We will explore the interpretation of geological maps, theoretical &
experimental models of rock deformation and learn to predict the behavior of geologic materials under
different geologic conditions. The goals for the course are to:
 Develop an understanding of geological map and cross section analysis.
 Develop an improved ability to visualize and manipulate geological features in 3-D.
 Develop a quantitative understanding of the common geological forces and processes that shape
the evolution of the continents.
 Learn to utilize different types of structural data to solve common geological problems.
ASSESSMENT:
Problem sets and quizzes....................30%
Examinations (2)................................45%
Final Paper..........................................25%
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PLEASE NOTE: LATE REPORTS WILL BE REDUCED BY ONE LETTER GRADE/DAY
COURSE MATERIALS:
You will be provided with a variety of class notes, exercises, handouts and other materials. In addition
we will be using the following textbook available at the bookstore: Davis, G.H., Reynlds, S.J., Kluth,
C.F., Structural Geology of Rocks and Regions, 3rd edition, J. Wiley & Sons Inc., 839 pp.
REQUIRED LAB EQUIPMENT:
1. eraser
2. tracing paper
3. ruler
4. protractor
5. hard lead and colored pencils
6. compass for circle drawing
7. graph paper and white unlined paper
8. calculator with trig. functions
9. ALL class handouts
PREREQUISITES AND PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
The prerequisites for this course include GEOL 101 (Field Geology) and GEOL 110 (Earth Materials).
I expect you to know how to identify the basic types of rocks and rock structures commonly found in
nature, the use basic field tools, such as a hand lens and a compass. I also expect you to recall basic
analytical techniques including measuring strikes and dips and the use of stereographic projections.
The textbook reviews of many of these topics.
COURSE OUTLINE
Analysis of geologic maps & cross sections
Feb 2, 7
Feb 9, 14
Feb 16, 21
Feb 23, 28
Mar 1
Mar 5-9
Introduction to geologic map analysis. Topography, structure contours, 3-point
problems, depth and thickness calculations.
Profile construction. Fold description, analysis and visualization. Vergence and
facing, map interpretation.
Fold analysis using stereographic projections and subsurface borehole techniques.
Mycheebye Creek project.
Polyphase folding and fold interference patterns. Cleavages and lineations. Hand
sample, thin section descriptions. Fergusson Creek project.
EXAM #1
SPRING BREAK
Strain analysis and progressive deformation
Mar 13, 15
Mar 20, 22
Strain and progressive deformation. Applications to brittle and ductile deformation.
Shear zones, fault zones, mylonites. Strain measurement.
Stress, fracture and fault analysis
Mar 27, 29
Apr 3, 5
Apr 10, 12
Stress and Mohr Circles. Lab: Mohr Circles 1.
Fracture experiments, Mohr-Coulomb fracture criterion. Lab: Mohr Circles 2.
The effects of pore fluid pressure on faulting. Applications to thrust belt dynamics.
Lab: Mohr Circles 3.
Apr 17, 19
Apr 24, 26
May 1
EXAM #2, Field project
Field Project
FINAL REPORT DUE May 1st
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