Syllabus Information

1.1. Introduction

Brief presentation of the subject

This course presents the fundamentals and operational requirements of the most common methods and techniques in Geology to solve problems in different areas of Earth Sciences, assessing the adequacy of the results to each specific problem and dimensioning their application.

By its configuration, it is a basic subject to be able to progress adequately in the rest of the contents of the degree, especially of the subjects of the second semester and of the work end of master.

1.2. Recommendations to take this course

This course is aimed at students who want to acquire advanced training in the different methods and techniques of geology study, both for basic and applied research purposes, as well as the application of this knowledge to the design of geological prospecting campaigns.

This subject consists of three units:

UNIT 1: Instrumental techniques: requirements and applications (4,5 ECTS)

UNIT 2: Geological data dating (4 ECTS)

UNIT 3: Design of geological campaigns (3,5 ECTS)

 Since the subject's programming includes a broad syllabus and the classroom sessions have a theoretical-practical nature, a continuous work dynamics is recommended, allowing adequate progress in the subject and completing the questionnaires or evaluation exercises that allow to verify the acquisition of the competences during the development of the subject.

1.3. Context and importance of this course in the degree

This subject, along with the "Geology data processing, representation and modeling" and "Scientific and technical communication", constitute the group of compulsory subjects of the degree (all of them taught in the first semester), with a strong transversal character and Basic for the development of the contents of the subjects of the second semester of the degree.

In this subject the student is expected to acquire a broad knowledge of the different techniques and methods, as well as the design and quantification of resources for the elaboration of a work plan.

1.4. Activities and key dates

Beginning of the subject: beginning of the first semester according to the academic calendar published on the website of the Faculty of Sciences.

Practical field trips: according to the field calendar that is approved for the degree and can be found on the web of the Department of Earth Sciences.

Examination dates: according to the calendar published on the website of the Faculty of Sciences.

5.1. Methodological overview

This course is intended for students to acquire advanced training in various methods and techniques of Geology, both for basic and applied research, and the application of this knowledge to the design of geological survey campaigns.

This course is aimed primarily at students with a background in Geology, but it is also appropriate for students trained in other disciplines (Engineering geology or mining, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science, Geography, ...) that require knowledge of the most commonly used methods in various fields of Geology.

The course uses the following teaching methods:

• 1. Lectures (6.1 ECTS: 61 hours).
• 2. Practice sessions (5.1 ECTS: 51 hours).
• 3. Field work (0,8 ECTS: 8 hours).

5.2. Learning tasks

The course has a similar number of teaching hours allocated to lectures and practice sessions. Several learning activities have been designed in order to achieve the learning objectives:

• 1. Lectures. These are lectures where the fundamentals of the topics covered during the course are explained using ICTs, engaging the student in active participation.
• 2. Problem solving sessions. Practice sessions where real-world problems are formulated and solved by means of general or specific software.
• 3. Laboratory sessions. Practice sessions carried out in the laboratory using specific methodologies, techniques and instruments.
• 4. Seminars. Discussion and debate on specific topics or case studies based on work done by students.  
• 5. Field work. Two one-day field trips to put into practice geological prospecting techniques and to gather data to be used in practice sessions in the lab.

In order to optimize coordination between lectures and practice sessions, the course is taught in intensive five-hour sessions combining participative lectures, problem solving tasks and computer-based case studies.

5.3. Syllabus

The course will address the following topics:

Topic 1: Instrumental techniques: requirements and applications

1.1- Determination of physical and mechanical properties

    1.1.1. Porosity, permeability, density. Interaction with water and induced physical changes
    1.1.2. Surface analysis and color measurement. Study techniques
    1.1.3. Indirect measurements of physical properties: Ultrasonic pulses, methodology and possibilities
    1.1.4. Fundamentals of Magnetism of Rocks    

      Magnetism techniques of rocks

    1.1.5. Most relevant geotechnical and geomechanical tests
             Excavations, soundings, sampling and witnessing
             Tests in Soil Mechanics, 1: laboratory tests
             Essays in Soil Mechanics, 2: in situ tests
             Tests in Rock Mechanics, 1: laboratory tests
             Experiments in Rock Mechanics, 2: in situ tests

1.2- Introduction to mineral and chemical characterization techniques: Mineral-chemical characterization; Chemical characterization techniques; Isotopic techniques; Other techniques: ATD / ATG, infrared spectrometry

Topic 2: Dating of geological materials

2.1- Radioisotope techniques

2.2- Techiques in recent materials

2.3- Thermochronology

2.4- Cyclostratigraphy

2.5- Geochronological applications of paleomagnetism

2.6- Biochronological methods

2.7- Chronostratigraphy and Geochronology

Topic 3: Campaign design exploration and geological prospecting

3.1- Design of a campaign of prospecting and paleontological dig

3.2- Design of a campaign of prospecting mineralogy-petrology

3.3- Design of a campaign to basin analysis

3.4- Design of a research cruise in structural geology and geophysical prospecting

3.5- Design of a campaign-geomorphological hydrogeological survey

Practice sessions:

Topic 1:

Session 1- Determination of petrophysical properties: density, porosity, permeability (6h)

Session 2- Magnetism o rocks practice techniques (3h)

Session 3- Planning a sampling campaign based on objectives. Choice test (2h)

Interpretation of logs 4- Dynamic penetration, correlation with SPT and applications (2h)

Topic 2:

Session 5- Dating series with sedimentary cyclicity (4h)

Session 6- Magnetostratigraphy practice session (4h)

Session 7- Application of qualitative techniques of construction and calibration of biochronological scales (2h)

Session 8- Exercises of quantitative and statistical biostratigraphy (2h)

Topic 3:

Session 9- Design of a paleontological campaign: prospecting and excavation (5h)

Session 10- Design of a petrology - mineralogy campaign (5h)

Session 11- Design of a campaign for basin analysis (5h)

Session 12- Design of a research campaign in structural geology and a geophysical survey (5h)

Session 13- Design of a geomorphological and hydrogeological survey (5h)

Session 14- Fieldwork (8h)

5.4. Course planning and calendar

The course is taught is five-hour sessions (Tue and Thu, from 4 pm to 9 pm) that combine lecture time and practice sessions.

At the beginning of the course, during the first sessions, a calendar with all planned activities will be handed out. This calendar will include the deadlines for submission of each piece of assessment.

The field work sessions will be scheduled and anounced in due time.

5.5. Bibliography and recommended resources

Berger, A.L. Milankovitch and climate. Part. 1. N.A.T.O. ASI Ser. C, Reidel. Dordrech. 1984
Bowles, J.E. Propiedades geofísicas de los suelos. McGraw-Hill, cop. 1982
Bradley, R.S. Paleoclimatology: reconstructing climates of the Quaternary. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA. Academic Press, 1999
Brockwell, P.J. & Davis, R.A. Introduction to time series and forecasting. 2nd ed. New York: Springer, cop. 2002
Butler, R.F. Paleomagnetism: magnetic domains to geologic terranes. Oxford. Blackwell, Basil, 1992
Chacón, J. Mecánica de Suelos y Rocas. Prácticas y Ensayos. Universidad de Granada. 2004
Collinson, D.W. Methods in rock magnetism and palaeomagnetism: techniques and instrumentation. London, New York. Chapman and Hall, 1983
Craig, R.F. Soil mechanics. 5th. ed., repr. London. Chapman & Hall, 1996
Dickin, A.P. Radiogenic isotope geology. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press, 1995
Dunlop, D.J. Rock Magnetism: Fundamentals and Frontiers. Cambridge University Press. 2001
Einsele, G. Cycles and events in Stratigraphy. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Heildelberg. 1991
Esbert, R.M., Ordaz, J., Alonso, F.J., Montoto, M., González, T. & Álvarez De Buergo. Manual de Diagnosis y Tratamiento de Materiales Pétreos y Cerámicos., Serie Manuals de Diagnosi. Col.legi d´Aparelladors i Arquitectes Tècnics de Barcelona. Barcelona. 1997
Gisbert J. (Ed). Rocas, Morteros y Ladrillos. I Jornadas de Caracterización y Restauración de Materiales Pétreos en Arquitectura, Escultura y Arqueología. Dos tomos. Libros Pórtico. Zaragoza. 2001
González de Vallejo, L.I., ...[et al.] Ingeniería geológica. Madrid. Prentice Hall, D.L. 2006
Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M.D., Ogg, G.M. (eds.). The Geologic time scale. 1st ed. Amsterdam. Elsevier, 2012
Jiménez Salas, J.A. & de Justo Alpañes, J.L. Geotecnia y cimientos. V. 1, Propiedades de los suelos y de las rocas. 2a. ed. Madrid. Rueda, D.L. 1975
Jiménez Salas, J.A. & del Cañizo Perate, L. [et al]. Geotecnia y cimientos. V. 3, Cimentaciones, excavaciones y aplicaciones de la geotecnia. Madrid. Rueda, D.L. 1980
Jiménez Salas, J.A., de Justo Alpañes, J.L., Serrano González, A.A. Geotecnia y cimientos. V. 2, Mecánica del suelo y de las rocas. 2a ed Madrid: Rueda, D.L. 1981
Lambe, T.W. & Whitman, R.V. Mecánica de suelos. 8a. reimp. Mexico. Limusa. 1991
McElhinny, M.W. Paleomagnetism: Continents and Oceans. Academic Press. 1999
McGowran, B. Biostratigraphy. Microfossils and Geological time. Cambridge University Press. 2008
Merrill, R.T. McElhinny, M.W., McFadden, P.L. The magnetic field of the Earth: paleomagnetism, the core, and the deep mantle. San Diego. Academic Press, cop. 1998
Opdyke, N.D. Magnetic Stratigraphy. Academic Press. 1996
Potts, P.J. A Handbook of Silicate Rock Analysis. Springer. 2014
Riddle, C. Analysis of Geological Materials. Dekker, New York. 1993
Schmerr Jr. & Lester W. Fundamentals of Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation. Ed Springer. 2016

Schon J.H. Physical Properties of Rocks: A Workbook. Elsevier 2011
Schwarzacher, W. Cyclostratigraphy and the Milankovitch theory. Elsevier. Amsterdam. 1993
Siegesmund S., Weiss T., & Vollbrecht A. Natural Stone, Wethering Phenomena, Conservation Strategies and Case Studies Geological Society of LondoN. Special Publication nº 205. 2002
Tarling, D.H. Palaeomagnetism. Chapman & Hall. 1983

Tiab D.,Donaldson D.C. Petrophysics, Fourth Edition: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties Elsevier / Kindle 4º Ed  2015
Van Der Voo, R. Paleomagnetism of The Atlantic, Tethys and Iapetus Oceans. Cambridge University Press. 2005
Walker, M. Quaternary dating methods. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. Chichester. 2005
Weedon, G.P. Time-Series Analysis and Cyclostratigraphy: Examining Stratigraphic Records of Environmental Cycles. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 2003
Winkler E.M. Stone in Architecture. Propierties, Durability. Springer Verlag. 1994