Sedimentary geology, tectonics, and mapping

This course brings together three complementary and fundamental disciplines of Earth sciences: sedimentology, tectonics, and cartography. The different types of sedimentary rocks will be taught in detail in order to interpret their formation context and associated processes. The subjects of ductile and brittle tectonics will also be addressed at different scales in order to establish their formation context, particularly in terms of stress regimes. Practical work on samples will be carried out in parallel to enable students to develop their observation and drawing skills and to make use of the rich collections available in the department. Finally, an introduction to reading and working with geological maps (diagrams, cross-sections) will be provided, applying the concepts of sedimentology and tectonics previously acquired. This course unit should enable students to define the broad outlines of the geological history of a given region.

Hourly volumes:

• CM: 12
• TD: 3
• TP: 21

• Based on naturalistic observation of sedimentary rocks, the aim is to identify with the naked eye their nature and the elements they contain (grains, fossils, structures), and to reconstruct the environment in which the rock was formed and the processes involved in its formation.
• Identify and characterize brittle and ductile tectonic processes at different scales (µm to km), describe and identify rocks and associated tectonic structures in order to characterize a stress state.
• Master the techniques for reading and using geological maps in order to understand the geological history of a study area.

UE HAT102T Geology; HAV213T Evolution of the Earth and Geological History

Final exam + 3 graded assignments.

Brief description of the concepts covered in CM:

• 5 CM of sedimentology;
• 1 CM Introduction to mapping techniques and geological map reading;
• 2 CM Introduction to tectonics.

Brief description of tutorial sessions and number of hours associated with each session

• 1TD on reading techniques and work on theoretical geological maps (recognition of unconformities, folds, and faults; estimation of dips; work on small, simple cross-sections).  

Brief description of practical sessions and number of hours associated with each session

• 4 practical assignments on sedimentary rocks (PA1 Detrital and Terrigenous Rocks; PA2 Sedimentary Features; PA3 Carbonate and Biochemical Rocks; PA4 Chemical and Organic Rocks);
• 2 practical assignments on geological maps in a simple folded domain: 1 to learn about structural patterns, 1 to learn about structural cross-section construction (Dieulefit map);            
• 1 TP deformed rocks in the classroom with macroscopic descriptions of the rocks.

Description of the topics/activities covered during your field trip(s) and details of the destinations/sites.

Know how to recognize a sedimentary rock and define its formation environment.

Know how to recognize a deformed, brittle, and ductile rock, and define the stress state that caused this deformation.

Knowing how to draw a sample.

Knowing how to read a geological map in order to extract the regional geological history.

Know how to draw a structural diagram and a tectonic cross-section from a geological map (calculating dip and thickness, geological drawings, etc.).