Geology of France

The course will outline the different geological episodes in France from the Paleozoic to the present day, and place these events in their geodynamic context. We will cover sedimentary, tectonic, geomorphic, metamorphic and magmatic evolution. More specifically, we'll look at the structure and geological evolution of the Hercynian massifs, the Mesozoic basins, the Pyrenean-Alpine orogeny and the West European Rift. To delineate these major geological objects, the course will integrate various data such as geological maps, paleogeographical maps, cross-sections, rock facies, geochronological ages, ECORS profiles, magnetic and gravimetric anomaly maps, etc. The geological evolution of the Languedoc region from Hercynian orogeny to the opening of the Mediterranean Sea will be particularly documented and developed during practical work and field excursions.

Hourly volumes :

CM: 15h

Practical work: 9h

Field : 12h

This course aims to integrate the knowledge of Geology acquired up to the 4th semester of the STE degree. They are applied to the discovery of the geology of France and allow the student to familiarize the student with the interpretive analysis of geological maps, subsurface data and the construction of geological sections in practical work. The disciplines covered are numerous, namely: cartography, stratigraphy, petrography (classification of rocks), tectonics, metamorphism, sedimentology and geophysics, in no order of priority.

Basics at L2 level in cartography, petrography, stratigraphy, geochronology, geodynamics, structural and sedimentary geology, and evolution of the Earth.

Recommended prerequisites :

Geophysics

Continuous assessment:

- Course knowledge check

- Field knowledge check

- 3 practical work evaluations (structural diagrams, geological sections)

• Synthetic description of the concepts covered in CM :

Geological evolution of France and in particular of Languedoc. To show that the geologist must know how to integrate transdisciplinary tools. The concepts covered are in particular:

- Mountain ranges in France

- The large sedimentary basins

- Western European rifting and the opening of the Gulf of Lion

- The geology of the Languedoc

• Synthetic description of TP sessions and number of hours associated with each session

3 sessions of 3 hours of practical work, the first on the Hercynian massif of the Maures, the second in the context of Alpine convergence (Chambéry), and the third in Languedoc (poly-phasing up to the Oligocene rift, map of Alès).

Analysis of geological maps:

- grouping together structural, sedimentary, tectono-metamorphic and lithotype ensembles,

- build geological sections and associated logs,

- reconstruct the geological history of the region studied.

• Description of the themes/manips covered during your field trip(s) and details of destinations/sites

 Exit 1 (Hercynian): Identification of the facies of crystalline and metamorphic rocks of the Montagne Noire (Gorges d'Héric and Cabrières), geological section of the terrain, reading of the landscape and exercise of re-identification of the elements of the geological map.

Exit 2 (Alpine and Oligocene Rift): Section of the northern Montpellier region from the Triassic/Permian unconformity of the Larzac to the Pic St Loup via the Cévennes fault in Thaurac. Identification of sedimentary rock facies, unconformity, measurement of a fault, landscape reading and re-identification of geological map elements.

To know and understand the subsoil and the various geological events in France.

Know how to construct a structural diagram, log, geological section, map commentary, geological interpretation of geophysical data, landscapes, and rock reconnaissance in the field.