CEG1606 : Interpreting Geological Maps
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
- Module Leader(s): Dr Martin Cooke
- Lecturer: Dr Mark Ireland, Dr Cees van der Land
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
The aims of this module are:
1. To teach the key skills needed to interpret geological maps.
2. To identify and record geological features in the field.
3.To introduce the key concepts related to the formation of geological features.
4. To use geological field observations to produce geological maps.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will begin with students becoming familiar with geological maps, the information they contain and how to extract information from those maps. This will enable students to read geological maps and understand the 4 dimensional thinking required to interpret geological maps. The key aspects will be:
Introduction to Geological Maps
Map conventions and symbols
Stratigraphic columns
Rules of stratigraphy
Unconformities
The module will then introduce more complex geological knowledge, specifically
Geological Cross Sections
Key sources of information, dips and strikes, borehole information
Drawing cross sections on geological maps and vertical exaggeration
Folds, what causes them and their description
Identifying folds on geological maps
Drawing folded cross sections on geological maps
3 point problems and structure contours
Faults, what causes them and their description
Faults on Geological maps
Drawing faulted cross sections on geological maps
Using the information on a geological map to describe the geological history of an area
The module will have 2 field trips. During these field trips students will learn how to record geological information in a notebook and on a map. The final field trip will require students to use the knowledge they have acquired to produce a geological map of an area.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Completion of assessment - mapping exercise book |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Mapping interpretation practicals |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Field trips to observe geological structures in the field |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | Field mapping exercise to Cocklawburn beach |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 65 | 1:00 | 65:00 | Reflective learning |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be taught through a series of 2 hour desk based practicals where students will learn to interpret geological maps and information.
The field trips will teach students how to produce their own geological maps based on the information they observe and record in the field.
The assessment will largely be completed during the practical exercises but both this time and the reflective learning will allow students to consolidate their learning gained from the practical components.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 100 | Completion of a mapping exercise book used in the practical exercises |
Formative Assessments
Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Formative exercises as part of the mapping exercise book |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment will be a workbook of geological mapping based exercises. The students will work on these during the semester in the practicals and submit the whole workbook for assessment at the end.
The workbook will include a series of formative exercises where the students can check their progress against model answers and a series of similar summative exercises.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG1606's Timetable