School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-30003 Advanced Topics in Sedimentology  
Co-ordinator: Dr Nigel Mountney    Room: WSF16, Tel:33171  
Teaching Team:  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
Sutdents should have completed ESC-20002 Reconstructing Past Environments.
Barred Combinations
Not applicable
Description

The stratigraphical principles introduced in ESC-20002 are studied in
greater depth, concentrating on the analytical methods of seismic
and sequence stratigraphy which allow the geometry of sedimentary
rock bodies to be related to basin wide tectonic and eustatic
controls. The development of sequence stratigraphical techniques is a
key part of modern hydrocarbon exploration.

2 one-hour lectures & 3 hour practical per week (10 weeks).
Aims
The module aims to allow students an opportunity to gain a broad overview of the relationship between sedimentology and stratigraphy on a basin wide scale, and to appreciate the economic implications. The objectives are to teach students to relate sedimentological evidence to regional and global stratigraphical cyclicity through the study of sequence stratigraphy; to develop an awareness of post-burial alteration of sediments and its role in hydrocarbon generation, maturation, migration and entrapment; to appreciate the ways in which sedimentological and stratigraphical principles can be applied to the exploration for, and production of, both hydrocarbon and water resources. Successful students will develop geological skills relevant to the analysis of sedimentary sequences and their relative position within evolving sedimentary basins. They will be able to undertake structural isopach mapping, burial history analysis, seismostratigraphic interpretation, fault seal analysis and relationships to stratigraphy, application of graphic wireline log interpretation, fluid flow simulation and risk analysis, and geological problem solving.
Intended Learning Outcomes
  • An understanding of how to relate sedimentological evidence to regional and global stratigraphical cyclicity through the study of sequence stratigraphy.
  • Development of an awareness of post-burial alteration of sediments and its role in hydrocarbon generation, maturation, migration and entrapment.
  • An appreciation of the ways in which sedimentological and stratigraphical principles can be applied to the exploration for and production of economic fluids.
  • Development of geological skills relevant to the analysis of sedimentary sequences and their relative position within evolving sedimentary basins.
  • Development of the geological skills relevant to the exploration for, and exploitation of, economic fluids.
  • Enhancement of field skills.
Study hours
  • 20 hours lectures;
  • 30 hours practical classes;
  • 20 hours fieldwork;
  • 30 hours completion of assignments;
  • 50 hours private study
Description of Module Assessment
1: Practical Assessment weighted 10%
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
2: Exercise weighted 15%
FIELDWORK ASSESSMENT
3: Practical Assessment weighted 25%
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT
4: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%
2 HOUR UNSEEN EXAM
Reading Sources
Course Text
Title: Basin Analysis - Principles And Applications. 
Author: ALLEN, P.A. & ALLEN, J.R.
Title: Sequence Stratigraphy 
Author: EMERY, D. & MYERS, K.J.
Title: Petroleum Geoscience 
Author: GLUYAS, J. & SWARBRICK, R.E.
Title: The Sedimentary Record Of Sea-Level Change 
Author: COE, A.L.
Version: (1.03) Created: 12/Oct/2009

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.