Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
EAS 52800 – PLATE TECTONICS/GEODYNAMICS
Syllabus for Spring, 2009
Designation:
Elective course
Catalog Description:
This course treats the processes that change the face of the earth. It includes the concepts of
mantle convection and continental drift, leading to the modern theory of plate tectonics. The
perspective is global and process-oriented, with examples from nearby active plate boundaries.
The plate tectonic model explains the global distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, mineral
deposits, and long-term climate patterns.
Hours/Credits:
3 lecture hours per week; 3 credits
Textbook:
Tectonics, by E.M. Moores and R.J. Twiss; also additional readings
available in the library
Science Librarian Assigned to this course
Philip Barnett
Topics covered:
See attached lecture schedule.
Course Objectives:
Dept. outcome letters
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the development of, and the evidence for, the
concepts of plate tectonics and isostasy
2. Understand selected current controversies in tectonics,
e.g. the fate of subducted slabs
3. Determine the rates and general directions of tectonic
movements, both past and present, from published
data
4. Relate the observed features in a particular area of the
globe (e.g. earthquakes, topography) to their
geodynamic origins
5. Predict the expected geologic hazards in a geographic
area, based on that area’s geodynamic character
Grading:
e, i
d, e
c, d
d, e, i
d
There will be 3 in-class exams during the semester, approximately 3
problem sets, and a term paper. These activities will count toward the
final grade as follows:
Hour Exams
Term Paper
60 %
20 %
2
Problem Sets
20 %
Exams will be closed book and will consist primarily of short answer and
essay questions. The homework will involve working with maps or doing
mathematical calculations of plate motions. The term paper will discuss
the tectonics of a particular area of the globe. The first draft of the term
paper will count 5%, with the grade on the final version making up the
remainder of the term paper grade.
Missed Exams;
Late Problem Sets
Makeup exams are possible, but written evidence of inability to take the
regularly scheduled exam is required. Examples of acceptable written
evidence include a doctor's receipt or excuse for illness and a repair shop
invoice for auto breakdowns. Comparable evidence is expected for other
problems. Late problem sets will be accepted, but will be assessed a
penalty of 10% of the maximum possible grade for each week which
elapses between the time the problem set is due and the time that it is
turned in, up to a maximum of 50%. For example, a problem set which is
due on Monday, and which is received on Friday of the same week,
will be accepted without penalty; however, a problem set which is due on
Monday, but which is not received until the next Monday, will be
penalized 10%. The term paper will be penalized one-quarter of a letter
grade for each day that it is late, up to a maximum of one letter grade.
Attendance:
Attendance at lectures is expected. I will not be following the book
exactly, and I reserve the right to assign a grade of WU to anyone who
misses more than two weeks of classes.
Instructor and
Dr. Patricia Kenyon - 933 Marshak Science Building
author of syllabus: Telephone: (212) 650-6472; Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
After class, or MW, 2:00-3:00 P.M.; other times by appointment
3
TENTATIVE 2009 LECTURE SCHEDULE – PLATE TECTONICS/GEODYNAMICS
Week Beginning
TOPIC
Jan. 26
Introduction to Plate Tectonics; Relevant Concepts in Geology
Feb. 2
Isostasy, Seismic Evidence for Plate Tectonics
Feb. 9
Magnetic Evidence for Plate Tectonics
Feb. 16
The Mathematics of Plate Motion
Feb. 23
Earth’s Interior and Driving Forces for Plate Motion; EXAM
Mar. 2
Introduction to Plate Geography; Midocean Ridges
Mar. 9
Continental Rifts; Hot Spots
Mar. 16
Subduction Zones
Mar. 23
Transform Margins and Triple Junctions
Mar. 30
Collisional Boundaries; EXAM
Apr. 6
The Development of Plate Tectonic Theory
Apr. 13
SPRING BREAK
Apr. 20
Continental Assembly, Orogenic Belts, and Neotectonics
Apr. 27
The History of Plate Motions; Regional Studies
May 4
Plate Tectonics in the Earth System
May 11
Grad Student Reports; EXAM