ESC-10064 - Geology Data Visualisation, Analysis and Interpretation (30-credit)

Coordinator: Stuart S Egan Room: WSF29 Tel: +44 1782 7 33174

Lecture Time: See Timetable...

Level: Level 4

Credits: 30

Study Hours: 300

School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module provides an introduction to a variety of techniques for the acquisition, interpretation, analysis and visualisation of a variety of geological and geophysical data, including Geographical Information Systems, remote sensing, digital mapping, geostatistics and numerical modelling of geological processes. The module is divided into the following sections which are covered by a combination of lectures and practical classes:
a) Geographical/Geological Information Systems (GIS) covering an introduction to GIS, data types (e.g. raster and vector, coordinate systems), electronic maps (e.g. Geology Digimap), digital elevation models and image data.
b) The Global Positioning System (GPS) and its use for geological fieldwork.
c) Near-surface geophysical data interpretation, analysis & visualisation.
d) Remote Sensing covering an introduction to remote sensing, remote sensing data types, aerial photo interpretation/photogeological mapping, interpretation of satellite images, and the use of Google Earth for geological investigation.
e) Digital techniques and specialist software applications for the acquisition, interpretation and visualization of geological field data, including software applications for the recording field data, LiDAR data, photogrammetry, BGS Sigma Desktop for fair copy map production, and the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Drones for geological applications.
f) Geostatistics and Numerical Modelling: coverage of geostatistical methods for the interpretation and analysis of geological data as well as the application of numerical/computer modelling to understanding geological processes.

Aims

To provide an introduction to a variety of techniques for the acquisition, interpretation, analysis and visualisation of a variety of geological and geophysical data, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, digital mapping and geostatistics.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-10064/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

make effective use of Geographical Information System (GIS) software as a tool for the integration of a variety of geoscience data: 1,2,4,

make use of on-line digital maps to investigate the geology of an area: 1,2,4,

apply remote sensing techniques to make geological interpretations of aerial photographs and satellite imagery: 3,4,

use a variety of digital techniques and specialist software applications for the acquisition, interpretation and visualization of geological field data: 3,4,

interpret and analyse a variety of spatially distributed geological and geophysical data, and summarise the results in the format of a scientific report: 1,2,

select and apply geostatistical methods for the interpretation and analysis of geological data and have an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of these techniques: 5,

Study hours

Summary:
- Lectures: 19 hours
- Practical classes: 57 hours
- Assignment completion workshops: 4 hours
- Private study = 220 hours.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Computer Task weighted 17%
Development of geographical/geological information system (GIS) of a selected area
Development of a GIS to integrate and visualise a variety of geological data for a selected area, along with a 750-1000 word report on the geology of the study area.

2: Report weighted 17%
Technical report on geophysical data interpretation and analysis
1500-word report on the integration, visualisation and interpretation of geophysical, geological, geotechnical and topographic datasets from a selected area.

3: Practice Based Assessment weighted 17%
Remote sensing practical assignments
Completion of three worksheets related to material covered in the practical classes on remote sensing. Each worksheet will require the use of computer software to carry out the image analysis as well as provide a short written report (400-words total) on the results.

4: Computer Task weighted 25%
Production of a geology fair copy map of a selected area
Use of a variety of digital mapping techniques to produce a geology fair copy map of publishable quality.

5: Practical Assessment weighted 24%
Completion of worksheets related to practical classes on geostatistics
Completion of two worksheets related to material covered in the practical classes on geostatistics. Each worksheet will require the use of computer software to carry out the statistical analysis of a geological data set as well as provide a written interpretation (750-words) of the results.

ESC-10064 - Module Specification School of Geography, Geology and the Environment Faculty of Natural Sciences

ESC-10064 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences