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ESC-30140 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

ESC-30140 - Structures and Sub-Surface Processes
Coordinator: Stuart Clarke Room: WSF16 Tel: +44 1782 7 33171
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

In this module, you will learn how geological basins and reservoirs, and their related geological resources, form. Geological reservoirs are a vital source of water, minerals and energy. This module covers a range of large-scale geological processes including advanced sedimentology, stratigraphy, geodynamics, structures, fluid flow and geophysics. In addition, you will further develop geological fieldwork skills via a 5-day residential field course as well as gaining further skills and experience in geological and geophysical modelling techniques, report writing and presentation skills. In summary, this module is based on current research and employment “trends”, setting students up to be well placed in a buoyant geoscience job market.

Aims
To provide a broad overview of the geodynamic, structural, sedimentological and stratigraphic processes that control the formation of geological basins and reservoirs.  The module also aims to equip students with knowledge of the geological and geophysical techniques used in the exploration for, and the exploitation of, geological reservoirs with respect to energy and mineral resources, and subsurface fluids.

Intended Learning Outcomes

interpret and analyse geological maps and seismic reflection profiles to become familiar with the structural geology, sedimentology and stratigraphy of sedimentary basins in a variety of tectonic settings.: 1,3
explain the interaction between structural, thermal, rheological and isostatic processes at lithosphere scale and how they control sedimentary basin formation.: 1
critically assess techniques that relate sedimentological evidence to regional and global stratigraphical cyclicity through the study of sequence stratigraphy and apply advanced fieldwork skills and modelling techniques to interpret sedimentary successions in a sequence stratigraphical context.: 2,3
use seismic and chronostratigraphy as well numerical/computer modelling of geodynamic processes as tools for providing insights into sedimentary basin formation, and have critical awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of these methods.: 1,2,3
describe, utilise and critically assess the geological and geophysical techniques in the exploration for, and exploitation of, geological reservoirs and work as a team to develop a reservoir evaluation.: 3

Study hours

10 1-hour lectures
20 4-hour combined lecture and practical classes
50 hours fieldwork
80 hours assignment work
80 hours private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Practice Based Assessment weighted 40%
Structure and Geodynamics Practical Exercises
Interpretation and analysis of subsurface geological data in practical classes and practical exercises (worksheet-based) on the computer modelling of geodynamic process and basin formation (equivalent to word-count of 2500 words).

2: Report weighted 40%
Scientific report based upon practical classes and fieldwork
Students produce a scientific report on sequence stratigraphy based upon practical sessions and outcrops examined on a field course. The report should set the examined outcrops in the context of the sequence stratigraphical evolution of the area studied. The report should be 2500-words long and include figures, maps and sedimentary logs, as appropriate.

3: Presentation weighted 20%
Oral presentation on reservoir assessment.
Group oral presentation (~10-minutes) on a reservoir evaluation. Students will be given a variety of information (e.g., borehole logs, seismic data) and through a series of practical classes evaluate and interpret the information to produce a geological reservoir model and risk evaluation. They will then deliver an industry-style technical presentation.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025