HB380 Geology & Geophysics (3ECTS)

The aim of the course is to give insight in the geological processes giving shape to oceanic basins, and in the active geological, geophysical and sedimentological processes in oceanic domains. As such the course aids in preparing the students for a multidisciplinary and polyvalent formation as hydrographer.

• 1. Marine geology & geophysics

a. Geodynamics: internal processes of the Earth

b. Plate tectonics: basis principles and intra-plate oceanic processes

c. Ocean margins: margin structures and processes, including oceanic sedimentation

d. Reflection seismic profiling: acquisition and processing

e. Groundtruthing: coring, drilling, processing and curation

• 2. Coastal and marine resources

a. Coastline formation

b. Seabed types

c. Aggregate resources

d. Environmental impact

1. Understand the internal processes of the Earth, and how they affect the variability of

the magnetic and gravimetric field, including how to measure this

2. To list and discuss the geophysical breakthroughs of plate tectonics

3. To explain the genesis of the oceanic crust and to understand the drivers of ocean

spreading

4. To understand and explain the evolution of the oceanic lithosphere and how this

contributes to the distribution of marine resources

5. To explain the factors determining and affecting the seismic signal and resolution

6. To differentiate between the existing seismic acquisition setups and seismic sources

7. To discuss the differences in operation and application of the different types of

groundtruthing

8. To understand the factors that may negatively affect coring and drilling, causing

artefacts or disturbance.

• Evaluation form:

Written examination at the end of the second semester containing general overview questions that gauge the depth of knowledge. Questions cover the complete content of the courses.