- Job Title:
- Research Assistant Professor
- Lecturer in Structural Geology
-
- Job description:
- Fixed-length term appointment (Non-Represented
Faculty Member)
-
- Job Proportions:
- 12.5% - Teaching
- 37.5% - Research
-
- Courses attended Fall Semester 1997:
- Introduction to Geology, Sack Lunch Seminars,
Department of Geological Sciences Seminars and Geological Society
lectures.
-
- Courses attended Spring Semester 1998:
- Sack Lunch Seminars (student lectures), Department
of Geological Sciences Seminars and Geological Society lectures.
-
- General:
- Attended Geological Society Executive Committee
Meetings and Faculty Committee meetings.
-
- Course Given:
- GES 416 - Introduction to Structural Geology
Course
-
- Location:
- University of Maine, Orono, United States
of America
-
- Dates:
- 12 January - 9 May, 1998
-
- Lecturers:
- Prof. Dr. David A. Spencer and Prof. Dr.
Terence Hughes (University of Maine, Orono, United States of
America)
-
- Ref./Class Number:
- 16615 / GES 416 Introduction to Structural
Geology
- 16621 / GES 416 Introduction to Structural
Geology Laboratory
-
- Course Information:
- Upper level baccalaureate degree course
- Two lectures per week and one laboratory
per week
- Credits - 4
-
- Details:
- Structural Geology deals with how rock materials
behave when they are deformed. We studied the various methods
of analysing deformed rocks, and investigated the ways of quantifying
that deformation. The significance of various types of geological
structures was further explained in the context of Plate Tectonics.
For example, faults, folds, stress, strain and fabrics in rocks
were described with emphasis given on their field description
and interpretations. Laboratory classes further developed theoretical
principles given in the lectures. They included 2-D and 3-D geometric
exercises involving geological maps, numerical calculations and
computer simulations.
-
- This course in Structural Geology aimed to
enable students to gain an understanding of the main processes
of deformation in rocks and to be able to perform simple geometrical
exercises. The relationship between theoretical, laboratory and
field observations can not be over emphasised. We developed techniques
that were useful in the analysis and quantification of rock deformation.
The course aimed to explain the significance of the various types
of geological structure in the context of Plate Tectonics, ranging
from small scale faulting and folding to large scale mountain
belts. The objectives of the course were to enable students to
recognise, describe and classify the main types of geological
structures (folds, faults, lineations, etc.) and understand the
mechanisms by which they form.
-
- Skills:
- Experience in visualising geological structures
in 2-D and 3-D; use of geological maps and cross-sections. Students
acquired the ability to carry out graphical exercises, record
observations neatly and systematically; perform appropriate mathematical
calculations; and to utilise the computer to make structural
analyses.
-
- Assessment:
- The course had 26 lectures (75 minutes) plus
13 laboratories (three-hours). Regular grading of laboratory
exercises and five unannounced quizzes enabled us to monitor
their progress (accounting in total for 35% of final grade).
Assessment by examination took place twice during the course
and the exams tested their theoretical understanding of aspects
of the course. They were biased towards material covered in lectures
(accounting in total for 40% of final grade). The General Education
Demonstrated Writing Competency Requirement for this course consisted
of two written papers, a review of one of their colleague's written
paper and an oral presentation (accounting in total for 25% of
final grade).
-
- Grades:
- The final Grade for this course comprised
of five sections (% of final grade):
- Laboratory Exercises (25%).
- General Education Demonstrated Writing Competency
Requirement (25%)
- Mid-Term Preliminary Exam (15%)
- Final Exam (25%)
- Five unannounced 'mini-quizzes' (10%)
-
- Fieldwork:
- Geology is best seen, learnt, and taught
outdoors. Fieldwork was an essential part of a geologist's training
and we supplemented formal class teaching with fieldwork when
ever possible. This helped students to develop the skills of
observing and recording. During the semester, students attended
at least two supervised field trips which included basic instruction
in field mapping and recognition of geological structures. All
field trips were obligatory. Their field note book formed part
of the laboratory assessment.
- Fieldtrip - I: The Appalachian Orogeny (with
D. Reusch)
- Fieldtrip - II: Strike-Slip Faulting in Maine
(with D. Lux)
- Fieldtrip - III: Stress and Strain of Igneous
Dyke Emplacement Schoodic Point, Acadia National Park (with T.
Hughes)
-
- Lectures (DAS):
- Introduction to Structural Geology
- Faults - 1: Introduction
- Faults - II: Thrust & Extension Tectonics
- Folds - I: Introduction (Nomenclature &
Orientation)
- Folds - II: Profile Geometry and Fold Systems
- Folds - III: Folds in 3D and Fold Mechanisms
- Strain: Progressive Deformation
- Strain: Measurement in Rocks
- Foliation, Lineation, Boudinage and Fabrics
- Strain in Folds
- Shear Zones
- Shear-Sense Indicators (in Rocks and Ice)
- Structural Geology in the Field - I
- Structural Geology in the Field - II
- Structural Geology in the Field - III
- Geological Structures and Plate Tectonics
- Course Review, Summary and Evaluation
-
- Lectures (TJH):
- Faults - III: Strike Slip Tectonics and Inversion
- Stress
- Strain
- Stress and Strain in Materials
- Faulting, Stress and Earthquakes
- Stress and Strain of Igneous Emplacement
- Gravity-Controlled Structures
- Experimental Rock Deformation - I
- Experimental Rock Deformation - II
-
- Laboratories (DAS):
- Faults
- Folds
- Analysis of Folded Rocks
- Strain Measurement
- Kinematic Indicators
- Structural Synthesis
- Paper II Oral Presentation; Final Review
of Course Laboratories
-
- Laboratories (TJH):
- Introduction - Geometrical Descriptions of
Rock Bodies
- Stereographic Projections
- Brittle Failure and Mohr Circles
- Experimental Rock Deformation
-
- Computer Labs:
- StereoTutor Version 2.0.2
- demonstrates the use of strike, dip, trend
and plunge angles to describe the orientations of planar and
linear structures
- Structure Lab Version 1.2.5
- A programme with numerous applications that
can be used to demonstrate topics such as "Veeing"
up or down stream, Structure Contours and the 3-point problem
- Fault-Bend Fold HyperCard "Movie"
- shows movement over a simple ramp/ Fault-bend
HyperCard Stack
- Duplex HyperCard "Movie"
- development of a two horse duplex
- Growth Fault Bend Fold HyperCard "Movie"
- development of growth geometry
- Fault Version 1.0
- demonstrates five types of fault in cross
section
- Fault Blocks Version 1.1
- demonstrates dip-slip, strike-slip, and oblique
slip faulting and illustrates the difference between rake-if-slip
and stratigraphic separation
- FaultKin Version 3.25
- Introduction to a program for analyzing fault
slip data for the Macintosh computer
- CarDec Version 2.3
- demonstrates a Passive Fold
- Block Diagram Version 2.0.3
- demonstrates the construction of block diagrams
of arbitrary shape and orientation
- Visualising Geology in Three Dimensions
- UK Earth Science Courseware Consortium- Compulsory
Units: Basic Concepts, Undeformed rocks in 3D, Deformed rocks
in 3D; Optional Units: Cross sections, Block Diagrams, 3D geology
from 2D data and Wells & well logs.
- Using Stereonets in Geology
- UK Earth Science Courseware Consortium -
Compulsory Units: Introduction to stereographic projection, Using
stereographic projection in structural geology, stereoplot quiz
- StereoTutor Version 2.0.2
- visualize orientations with the aid of an
interactive stereonet
- StereoTutor Version 2.0.2
- CarDec Version 2.3
- demonstrates refolded Folds
- Longitudinal Strain Tutor Version 1.0
- explains the measures of longitudinal strain
- StrainSim
- a program to simulate two dimensional pure
and simple shear
- CarDec Version 2.3
- demonstrates the strain ellipse for coaxial
versus non-coaxial strain; Exercises in Simple shear, Pure shear,
Stretch in homogeneous shear zones, Rotation in homogeneous shear
zones, The Strain ellipse, Angular shear, Heterogeneous strain,
Deformation of elliptical objects, Bilateral strain markers
- Progressive Pure Shear
- demonstrates the theory of pure shear deformation
- Progressive Simple Shear
- demonstrates the relationship between initial
and final principal directions in simple shear
- SNFLS
- demonstrates lines of no finite and infinitesimal
longitudinal strain in general shear
- Wellman Version 3.0
- demonstrates how to measure strain in deformed
bilateral fossils
- Stereoplot
- Preparing for Fieldwork 1: Using the Compass-Clinometer
- UK Earth Science Courseware Consortium
- Porphyroclast Tails Version 1.0
- demonstrates the use of porphyroclast systems
to determine shear sense
- Fractured Feldspars Version 2.2
- demonstrates 'bookshelf' or 'domino effect
of antithetic shearing on feldspar cleavage or fracture planes
that dip steeply with respect to the flow plane of the shear
zone
- Shear Sense Animations
- Hypercard stacks containing sequential images
generated by a programme called ShearSense. Stacks include Sigma
stack: Illustrates development of s-type porphyroclasts; Delta
stack: Illustrates development of d-type porphyroclasts; Snowball
stack: Illustrates development of 'snowball' inclusion trails
in porphyroblasts; Growth spurts stack: Illustrates how hiatuses
in porphyroblast growth may create physical (and perhaps chemical)
discontinuities inclusion trails; Instablast: Illustrates that
straight inclusion trails can develop in a rotating porphyroblast
if growth rate is very rapid relative to deformation rate; Slippery
edge: Simulates the (admittedly implausible) instance of a growing
porphyroblast that is wholly decoupled from its matrix (coupling
index k = 0) and therefore does not rotate and Illustrates that
curved inclusion trails can develop even in non-rotating porphyroblasts,
simply because matrix particles are rerouted around the growing
crystal.
- Rock Deformation and Geological Structures
- UK Earth Science Courseware Consortium
-
- Other:
- Arrangement of course programme and timetable
- Setting, supervising and marking of four
Mini quizzes
- Setting, supervising and marking of two Course
Examinations
-
- General:
- Attended faculty meetings.
-
- Award:
- The "Structural Geology Award"
was given to the student who has the highest grade at the end
of the Introduction to Structural Geology Course. The Prize consisted
of personally signed set of Modern Structural Geology books written
by Emeritus Professor John G. Ramsay.
-
- Course Evaluations:
- The official University of Maine Student
Evaluation was required for every formal course. 5 evaluations
(out of 5 distributed) of the course lecturer Prof. Dr. David
A. Spencer were made. Details are available on request. Student
evaluations ratings range from 1 (excellent) to 5 (below average).
The mean values of the individual ratings to one general question
('What is your overall rating of the instructor?') is given.
The complete evaluation results are available upon request.
-
- Overall, how would you rate the instructor?
(1-excellent; 5-below average)
-
| %
of response |
1 (100 %) |
2 (0 %) |
3 (0 %) |
4 (0 %) |
5 (0 %) |
| |
Mean: |
1.0 |
|
| Median: |
0.9 |
| Standard
Deviation: |
0.0 |
-
- Academic Ranking:
- In the 2003 Academic Ranking of Universities,
the University of Maine was placed at number 401-450 amongst
the Top 500 World Universities.
|
