GEOL476-12S1 (C)
Semester One 2012
Physical Volcanology
Description
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the physical processes which influence volcanic deposits resulting from both effusive and explosive eruptions. Topics include the dynamics of lava flows and domes, structure and origin of calderas, explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows and surges, debris avalanches, lahars, submarine volcanism and volcanogenic ore deposits.
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the physical processes which influence volcanic deposits resulting from both effusive and explosive eruptions. Some seminars will be led by Jim Cole and/or postgraduate students, while other seminars will be led by students taking the course. Reading lists will be given out the week before such seminars and a paper assigned to each student for presentation the following week.
Topics include the dynamics of lava flows and domes, structure and origin of calderas, explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows and surges, debris avalanches, lahars and submarine volcanism. A detailed schedule will be given out at the beginning of the course.
There will be a one-day field trip to an area of Banks Peninsula and information obtained from this trip will provide data for a report.
Learning Outcomes
Students successfully completing this course will:
• Describe and illustrate spatial and temporal variation in volcanic deposits and describe volcanic facies.
• Interpret volcanological facies to reconstruct volcanic histories
• Discuss the benefits and limitations of geological interpretations based on physical volcanology observations and experiments.
• Discover the importance of physical volcanology to related fields such as petrology, geochemistry, geothermal exploration, hazard management, geological engineering.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Course Coordinator / Lecturer
Darren Gravley
Lecturers
Ben Kennedy
and Jim Cole
Assessment
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In class participation
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5%
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In class participation
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|
Pre class questions
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5%
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Pre class questions
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|
Paper summaries
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10%
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Paper summaries
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|
Banks Peninsula field trip
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25%
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Banks Peninsula field trip
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|
Group case study
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20%
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Group case study
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Take home test
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35%
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Take home test
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In term assessment:
In class participation 5%
Pre class questions 5%
Paper summaries 10%
Banks Peninsula fieldtrip 25%
Group case study 20%
Take home final test 35%
Textbooks
Recommended Reading
Sigurdsson, Haraldur;
Encyclopedia of volcanoes;
Academic Press, 2000.
The major reference is Sigurdsson, H. Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, Academic Press. This book is available online through the University of Canterbury Library.
Notes
Relationship of GEOL476 to other courses
You cannot take GEOL476 without first completing GEOL336 and it is complementary for GEOL474 (Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry), ENGE476 (Volcano and Earthquake Hazards), and GEOL480 (Geological Evolution of New Zealand & Antarctica).
For further information see
Geological Sciences.
All GEOL476 Occurrences
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GEOL476-12S1 (C)
Semester One 2012
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