GEO4850 – Basin Tectonics and Structures
Course description
Course content
This course covers the structural evolution of sedimentary basins, from plate-scale tectonic processes to the development of individual faults. Students utilize seismic data and field mapping techniques to analyse geological structures in the subsurface. We learn qualitative and quantitative methods to establish the timing of tectonic activity, controlling factors, and driving forces. We focus on the mainly brittle deformation of the upper crust on geological timescales and apply this knowledge to assess the impact of these structures on subsurface fluid flow.
Integrated basin analysis is relevant to hydrocarbon exploration, CO2 and hydrogen storage, geological waste disposal, geothermal systems, earthquake hazards, geotechnical engineering and hydrogeology.
Learning outcome
After finishing this course, you will be able to
- identify and describe faults, folds and other structures developed in the upper crust using geological and geophysical data
- interpret the development of the structures and infer their regional tectonic setting (e.g. extensional, strike-slip, contractional, salt basin)
- discuss the deformation mechanisms and controlling factors that influence the geometry of the structures
- assess the impact of structures on subsurface fluid flow by integrating datasets across different spatial scales (e.g. seismic data, field data, well data)
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course includes a compulsory field course of 7-12 days in southern Spain (or elsewhere). A health and safety course for safety in the field must be passed before you can go on this:
Recommended previous knowledge
- GEO2130 – Structural Geology / GEL2130 – Structural geology (continued) or similar knowledge
- GEO3240 – Seismic Interpretation
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with GEO9850 – Basin Tectonics and Structures (continued).
Teaching
The course is divided into thematic modules covering different tectonic settings. There are typically 3 x 2 hours of sessions per week (subject to change). The teaching is delivered as a mix of?lectures, interactive seminars and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Compulsory pieces of coursework (field reports and seminar) together contribute towards the final grade.?
The fieldwork?component requires several days of compulsory fieldwork collecting structural geology data in the field and collating this into a report (location, dates and logistics to be confirmed in the first session). Work with interpreting 3D seismic data support structural analyses, with high relevance to tasks in the CO?-storage industry.
Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the Student administration (studieinfo@geo.uio.no).
We reserve the right to change the teaching?form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.
General information about excursions at the Department?of Geosciences
As?the?teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance.?Read about your insurance coverage as a student.
Examination
- A minimum of 5 days of compulsory fieldwork must be approved for the candidate to sit the final exam.
- Field map and report count 30% towards the final grade.
- Literature review presentation counts 10% towards the final grade.
- The final exam counts 60% towards the final grade.
The field map and report, and the literature review presentation, must be passed separately to pass the course.
The final exam is typically conducted as an oral exam. A written exam may replace the oral exam depending on the number of students participating in the course. This will be decided between the teacher and students with adequate notice.
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course:
Examination support material
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.