ESC-20002 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

ESC 20002 "Reconstructing Past Environments" demonstrates how the geomorphology of ancient sedimentary environments can be reconstructed from evidence in the rock record and from using equivalent modern environments as a template.
The module aims to encourage a basic awareness of the use of sedimentological and stratigraphical methods in reconstructing environments of deposition. The objectives are to introduce the concepts, principles and implications of facies analysis; introduce Walther¿s principle of accumulation of sedimentary successions; to teach techniques for the study of sedimentology and stratigraphy; and to review environments of sediment deposition and the facies and facies relationships that result in the rock record. Skills that will be acquired include sedimentary logging, description and interpretation of sedimentary rock successions, writing of a structured report, team work, problem-solving scenarios, likelihood assessment scenarios, and enhanced fieldwork skills.

The module aims to enhance the students¿ evidence-based knowledge and analytical skills in sedimentological and stratigraphical methods for reconstructing past sedimentary environments of deposition.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain and apply the concepts, principles and implications of facies analysis to the analysis and interpretation of sedimentary successions: 1,2,3
explain and apply Walther's principle of accumulation of sedimentary successions, and the link between sedimentology and stratigraphy: 1,2,3
review and interpret the facies and facies relationships that result in the rock record for different common environments of sediment deposition: 2,3
describe the basin-controls on sedimentary environment, facies and preserved succession: 3
explain and apply appropriately various standard data collection and synthesis / analysis techniques for the interpretation of sedimentary successions, including modern digital methods: 1
explain and apply the main concepts, models and processes that are key to the study of clastic and carbonate sedimentology: 1,2,3
produce standard scientific reports to communicate data analysis and interpretation: 1

Study hours

24 hours lectures, 32 hours practical classes, 8 hours fieldwork
44 hours completion of practical exercises, 42 hours private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment