Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021
Earth Sciences Master  | ||||||
 Major in Geology | ||||||
| Restricted Choice Modules Geology A minimum of two restricted choice modules must be completed for the major Geology. | ||||||
| Biogeochemistry | ||||||
| Biogeochemistry: Compulsory Courses The compulsory courses of the module take place in spring semester. | ||||||
| Biogeochemistry: Courses of Choice | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 651-4043-00L | Sedimentology II: Biological and Chemical Processes in Lacustrine and Marine Systems Prerequisite: Successful completion of the MSc-course "Sedimentology I" (651-4041-00L). | W | 3 credits | 2G | V. Picotti, A. Gilli, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Stoll | |
| Abstract | The course will focus on biological amd chemical aspects of sedimentation in marine environments. Marine sedimentation will be traced from coast to deep-sea. The use of stable isotopes palaeoceanography will be discussed. Neritic, hemipelagic and pelagic sediments will be used as proxies for environmental change during times of major perturbations of climate and oceanography. | |||||
| Learning objective | -You will understand chemistry and biology of the marine carbonate system -You will be able to relate carbonate mineralogy with facies and environmental conditions -You will be familiar with cool-water and warm-water carbonates -You will see carbonate and organic-carbon rich sediments as part of the global carbon cycle -You will be able to recognize links between climate and marine carbonate systems (e.g. acidification of oceans and reef growth) -You will be able to use geological archives as source of information on global change -You will have an overview of marine sedimentation through time | |||||
| Content | -carbonates,: chemistry, mineralogy, biology -carbonate sedimentation from the shelf to the deep sea -carbonate facies -cool-water and warm-water carbonates -organic-carbon and black shales -C-cycle, carbonates, Corg : CO2 sources and sink -Carbonates: their geochemical proxies for environmental change: stable isotopes, Mg/Ca, Sr -marine sediments thorugh geological time -carbonates and evaporites -lacustrine carbonates -economic aspects of limestone | |||||
| Lecture notes | no script. scientific articles will be distributed during the course | |||||
| Literature | We will read and critically discuss scientific articles relevant for "biological and chemical processes in marine and lacustrine systems" | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The grading of students is based on in-class exercises and end-semester examination. | |||||
| 651-4057-00L | Climate History and Palaeoclimatology | W | 3 credits | 2G | H. Stoll, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Zhang | |
| Abstract | Climate history and paleoclimatology explores how the major features of the earth's climate system have varied in the past, and the driving forces and feedbacks for these changes. The major topics include the earth's CO2 concentration and mean temperature, the size and stability of ice sheets and sea level, the amount and distribution of precipitation, and the ocean heat transport. | |||||
| Learning objective | The student will be able to describe the natural factors lead to variations in the earth's mean temperature, the growth and retreat of ice sheets, and variations in ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns, including feedback processes. Students will be able to interpret evidence of past climate changes from the main climate indicators or proxies recovered in geological records. Students will be able to use data from climate proxies to test if a given hypothesized mechanism for the climate change is supported or refuted. Students will be able to compare the magnitudes and rates of past changes in the carbon cycle, ice sheets, hydrological cycle, and ocean circulation, with predictions for climate changes over the next century to millennia. | |||||
| Content | 1. Overview of elements of the climate system and earth energy balance 2. The Carbon cycle - long and short term regulation and feedbacks of atmospheric CO2. What regulates atmospheric CO2 over long tectonic timescales of millions to tens of millions of years? What are the drivers and feedbacks of transient perturbations like at the latest Palocene? What drives CO2 variations over glacial cycles and what drives it in the Anthropocene? 3. Ice sheets and sea level - What do expansionist glaciers want? What is the natural range of variation in the earth's ice sheets and the consequent effect on sea level? How do cyclic variations in the earth's orbit affect the size of ice sheets under modern climate and under past warmer climates? What conditions the mean size and stability or fragility of the large polar ice caps and is their evidence that they have dynamic behavior? What rates and magnitudes of sea level change have accompanied past ice sheet variations? When is the most recent time of sea level higher than modern, and by how much? What lessons do these have for the future? 4. Atmospheric circulation and variations in the earth's hydrological cycle - How variable are the earth's precipitation regimes? How large are the orbital scale variations in global monsoon systems? Will mean climate change El Nino frequency and intensity? What factors drive change in mid and high-latitude precipitation systems? Is there evidence that changes in water availability have played a role in the rise, demise, or dispersion of past civilizations? 5. The Ocean heat transport - How stable or fragile is the ocean heat conveyor, past and present? When did modern deepwater circulation develop? Will Greenland melting and shifts in precipitation bands, cause the North Atlantic Overturning Circulation to collapse? When and why has this happened before? | |||||
| Palaeoclimatology | ||||||
| Palaeoclimatology: Compulsory Courses | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 651-4057-00L | Climate History and Palaeoclimatology | W+ | 3 credits | 2G | H. Stoll, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Zhang | |
| Abstract | Climate history and paleoclimatology explores how the major features of the earth's climate system have varied in the past, and the driving forces and feedbacks for these changes. The major topics include the earth's CO2 concentration and mean temperature, the size and stability of ice sheets and sea level, the amount and distribution of precipitation, and the ocean heat transport. | |||||
| Learning objective | The student will be able to describe the natural factors lead to variations in the earth's mean temperature, the growth and retreat of ice sheets, and variations in ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns, including feedback processes. Students will be able to interpret evidence of past climate changes from the main climate indicators or proxies recovered in geological records. Students will be able to use data from climate proxies to test if a given hypothesized mechanism for the climate change is supported or refuted. Students will be able to compare the magnitudes and rates of past changes in the carbon cycle, ice sheets, hydrological cycle, and ocean circulation, with predictions for climate changes over the next century to millennia. | |||||
| Content | 1. Overview of elements of the climate system and earth energy balance 2. The Carbon cycle - long and short term regulation and feedbacks of atmospheric CO2. What regulates atmospheric CO2 over long tectonic timescales of millions to tens of millions of years? What are the drivers and feedbacks of transient perturbations like at the latest Palocene? What drives CO2 variations over glacial cycles and what drives it in the Anthropocene? 3. Ice sheets and sea level - What do expansionist glaciers want? What is the natural range of variation in the earth's ice sheets and the consequent effect on sea level? How do cyclic variations in the earth's orbit affect the size of ice sheets under modern climate and under past warmer climates? What conditions the mean size and stability or fragility of the large polar ice caps and is their evidence that they have dynamic behavior? What rates and magnitudes of sea level change have accompanied past ice sheet variations? When is the most recent time of sea level higher than modern, and by how much? What lessons do these have for the future? 4. Atmospheric circulation and variations in the earth's hydrological cycle - How variable are the earth's precipitation regimes? How large are the orbital scale variations in global monsoon systems? Will mean climate change El Nino frequency and intensity? What factors drive change in mid and high-latitude precipitation systems? Is there evidence that changes in water availability have played a role in the rise, demise, or dispersion of past civilizations? 5. The Ocean heat transport - How stable or fragile is the ocean heat conveyor, past and present? When did modern deepwater circulation develop? Will Greenland melting and shifts in precipitation bands, cause the North Atlantic Overturning Circulation to collapse? When and why has this happened before? | |||||
| Palaeoclimatology: Courses of Choice | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 651-4043-00L | Sedimentology II: Biological and Chemical Processes in Lacustrine and Marine Systems Prerequisite: Successful completion of the MSc-course "Sedimentology I" (651-4041-00L). | W | 3 credits | 2G | V. Picotti, A. Gilli, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Stoll | |
| Abstract | The course will focus on biological amd chemical aspects of sedimentation in marine environments. Marine sedimentation will be traced from coast to deep-sea. The use of stable isotopes palaeoceanography will be discussed. Neritic, hemipelagic and pelagic sediments will be used as proxies for environmental change during times of major perturbations of climate and oceanography. | |||||
| Learning objective | -You will understand chemistry and biology of the marine carbonate system -You will be able to relate carbonate mineralogy with facies and environmental conditions -You will be familiar with cool-water and warm-water carbonates -You will see carbonate and organic-carbon rich sediments as part of the global carbon cycle -You will be able to recognize links between climate and marine carbonate systems (e.g. acidification of oceans and reef growth) -You will be able to use geological archives as source of information on global change -You will have an overview of marine sedimentation through time | |||||
| Content | -carbonates,: chemistry, mineralogy, biology -carbonate sedimentation from the shelf to the deep sea -carbonate facies -cool-water and warm-water carbonates -organic-carbon and black shales -C-cycle, carbonates, Corg : CO2 sources and sink -Carbonates: their geochemical proxies for environmental change: stable isotopes, Mg/Ca, Sr -marine sediments thorugh geological time -carbonates and evaporites -lacustrine carbonates -economic aspects of limestone | |||||
| Lecture notes | no script. scientific articles will be distributed during the course | |||||
| Literature | We will read and critically discuss scientific articles relevant for "biological and chemical processes in marine and lacustrine systems" | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The grading of students is based on in-class exercises and end-semester examination. | |||||
| Sedimentology | ||||||
| Sedimentology: Compulsory Courses | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 651-4041-00L | Sedimentology I: Physical Processes and Sedimentary Systems | W+ | 3 credits | 2G | V. Picotti | |
| Abstract | Sediments preserved a record of past landscapes. This courses focuses on understanding the processes that modify sedimentary landscapes with time and how we can read this changes in the sedimentary record. | |||||
| Learning objective | The students learn basic concepts of modern sedimentology and stratigraphy in the context of sequence stratigraphy and sea level change. They discuss the advantages and pitfalls of the method and look beyond. In particular we pay attention to introducing the importance of considering entire sediment routing systems and understanding their functionning. | |||||
| Content | Details on the program will be handed out during the first lecture. We will attribute the papers for presentation on the 26th, so please be here on that day! | |||||
| Literature | The sedimentary record of sea-level change Angela Coe, the Open University. Cambridge University Press | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The grading of students is based on in-class exercises and end-semester examination. | |||||
| 651-4043-00L | Sedimentology II: Biological and Chemical Processes in Lacustrine and Marine Systems Prerequisite: Successful completion of the MSc-course "Sedimentology I" (651-4041-00L). | W+ | 3 credits | 2G | V. Picotti, A. Gilli, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Stoll | |
| Abstract | The course will focus on biological amd chemical aspects of sedimentation in marine environments. Marine sedimentation will be traced from coast to deep-sea. The use of stable isotopes palaeoceanography will be discussed. Neritic, hemipelagic and pelagic sediments will be used as proxies for environmental change during times of major perturbations of climate and oceanography. | |||||
| Learning objective | -You will understand chemistry and biology of the marine carbonate system -You will be able to relate carbonate mineralogy with facies and environmental conditions -You will be familiar with cool-water and warm-water carbonates -You will see carbonate and organic-carbon rich sediments as part of the global carbon cycle -You will be able to recognize links between climate and marine carbonate systems (e.g. acidification of oceans and reef growth) -You will be able to use geological archives as source of information on global change -You will have an overview of marine sedimentation through time | |||||
| Content | -carbonates,: chemistry, mineralogy, biology -carbonate sedimentation from the shelf to the deep sea -carbonate facies -cool-water and warm-water carbonates -organic-carbon and black shales -C-cycle, carbonates, Corg : CO2 sources and sink -Carbonates: their geochemical proxies for environmental change: stable isotopes, Mg/Ca, Sr -marine sediments thorugh geological time -carbonates and evaporites -lacustrine carbonates -economic aspects of limestone | |||||
| Lecture notes | no script. scientific articles will be distributed during the course | |||||
| Literature | We will read and critically discuss scientific articles relevant for "biological and chemical processes in marine and lacustrine systems" | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The grading of students is based on in-class exercises and end-semester examination. | |||||
| Sedimentology: Courses of Choice | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 651-4901-00L | Quaternary Dating Methods | W | 3 credits | 2G | I. Hajdas, M. Christl, S. Ivy Ochs | |
| Abstract | Reconstruction of time scales is critical for all Quaternary studies in both Geology and Archeology. Various methods are applied depending on the time range of interest and the archive studied. In this lecture, we focus on the last 50 ka and the methods that are most frequently used for dating Quaternary sediments and landforms in this time range. | |||||
| Learning objective | Students will be made familiar with the details of the six dating methods through lectures on basic principles, analysis of case studies, solving of problem sets for age calculation and visits to dating laboratories. At the end of the course students will: 1. understand the fundamental principles of the most frequently used dating methods for Quaternary studies. 2. be able to calculate an age based on data of the six methods studied. 3. choose which dating method (or combination of methods) is suitable for a certain field problem. 4. critically read and evaluate the application of dating methods in scientific publications. | |||||
| Content | 1. Introduction: Time scales for the Quaternary, Isotopes and decay 2. Radiocarbon dating: principles and applications 3. Cosmogenic nuclides: 3He,10Be, 14C, 21Ne, 26Cl, 36Cl 4. U-series disequilibrium dating 5. Luminescence dating 6. Introduction to incremental: varve counting, dendrochronology and ice cores chronologies 7. Cs-137 and Pb-210 (soil, sediments, ice core) 8. Summary and comparison of results from several dating methods at specific sites | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Visit to radiocarbon lab, cosmogenic nuclide lab, accelerator (AMS) facility. Visit to Limno Lab and sampling a sediment core Optional (individual): 1-5 days hands-on radiocarbon dating at the C14 lab at ETH Hoenggerebrg Required: attending the lecture, visiting laboratories, handing back solutions for problem sets (Exercises) | |||||
| 651-4063-00L | X-Ray Powder Diffraction  Number of participants limited to 18. | W | 3 credits | 2G | M. Plötze | |
| Abstract | In the course the students learn to measure X-ray diffraction patterns of minerals and to evaluate these using different software for qualitative and quantitative mineral composition as well as crystallographic parameters. | |||||
| Learning objective | Upon successful completion of this course students are able to: - describe the principle of X-ray diffraction analysis - carry out a qualitative and quantitative mineralogical analysis independently, - critically assess the data, - communicate the results in a scientific report. | |||||
| Content | Fundamental principles of X-ray diffraction Setup and operation of X-ray diffractometers Interpretation of powder diffraction data Qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of crystalline powders (e.g. with Rietveld analysis) | |||||
| Lecture notes | Selected handouts will be made available in the lecture | |||||
| Literature | BRINDLEY G.W. and BROWN G. (ed) Crystal structures of clay minerals and their X-ray identification. London : Mineralogical Society monograph no. 5 (1984) (Link) DINNEBIER, R.E. et al.: Powder Diffraction. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 2008. (http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/eBook/978-0-85404-231-9) PECHARSKY, V.K. and ZAVALIJ, P.Y: Fundamentals of Powder Diffraction and Structural Characterization of Materials. Springer, 2009. (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-09579-0?page=2#toc) | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course includes a high portion of practical exercises in sample preparation as well as measurement and evaluation of X-ray powder diffraction data. Own sample will be analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Knowledge in mineralogy of this system is essential. Software will be provided for future use on own Laptop. | |||||
| Structural Geology | ||||||
| Structural Geology: Compulsory Courses | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 651-4132-00L | Field Course IV: Non Alpine Field Course Does not take place this semester. Priority is given to D-ERDW students. If space is available UZH Geography and Earth System Sciences students may attend this field course at full cost. No registration through myStudies. The registration for excursions and field courses goes through http://exkursionen.erdw.ethz.ch only. | W+ | 3 credits | 6P | W. Behr | |
| Abstract | ||||||
| Learning objective | ||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Students who want to participate hand in a short motivation letter (max. 1 page A4). The final selection will be based on this motivation letter. Deadline for motivation letter: 31 October 2018 Final decision 20 November 2018 Students registering for the course confirm having read and accepted the terms and conditions for excursions and field courses of D-ERDW Link | |||||
| Structural Geology: Courses of Choice | ||||||
| Number | Title | Type | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
| 651-4111-00L | Experimental Rock Physics and Deformation | W | 3 credits | 2G | A. S. Zappone, C. Madonna, L. Tokle | |
| Abstract | We illustrate some physical properties, deformation mechanisms, and define flow laws. We show the fundamental techniques for the measurement in laboratory of density, permeability, elastic properties and deformation. We presented actual case studies and discuss upscaling from laboratory to field. | |||||
| Learning objective | The objective of this course is to introduce rock physics and rock deformation, and discuss the aid of laboratory tests to interpretation at large scale . Rock Physics provides the understanding to connect geomechanical and geophysical data to the intrinsic properties of rocks, such as mineral composition and texture. Rock Physics is a key component in geo-resources exploration and exploitation, and in geo-hazard assessment. For rock deformation we will illustrate how to determined flow-laws of rocks from experiments and how to extrapolate to natural conditions. Since the time scale of laboratory experiments is several orders of magnitude faster than nature, we will compare the microstructure of natural rocks with that produced during the experiments to prove that the same mechanisms are operating. For this purpose, the fundamental techniques of experimental rock deformation will be illustrated and test on natural rock samples in the plastic deformation regime (high temperature) as well in the brittle regime ( room temperature) will be presented. We will perform tests in the lab, to acquire the data, to correct for calibration and to process the data and finally to interpret the data. The course is at Master student level, but will be useful for PhDs students who want to begin to work in experimental deformation or who want to know the meaning and the limitation of laboratory flow-laws for geodynamic modelling | |||||
| Content | The course will focus on research-based term project, lectures will alternate with laboratory demonstrations. We will illustrate how intrinsic properties of rocks (mineral composition, porosity, pore fluids, crystallographic orientation, microstructures) are connected to the following physical properties: - permeability; - elastic properties for seismic interpretations; - anisotropy of the above physical properties. We will measure some of those parameters in laboratory and discuss real case studies and applications. Principles of deformation mechanisms, flow laws, and deformation mechanism maps will be presented in lectures. In laboratory we will show: - Experimental deformation rigs (gas, fluid and solid confining media); - Main part of the apparatus (mechanical, hydraulic, heating system, data logging); - Calibration of an apparatus (distortion of the rig; transducers calibration); - Various types of tests (axial deformation; diagonal cut and torsion; deformation; constant strain rate tests; creep tests; stepping tests); | |||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course of Structural Geology (651-3422-00L) is highly recommended before attending this course. Moreover the students should have basic knowledge in geophysics and mineralogy/crystallography. In doubt, please contact the course responsible beforehand. | |||||
| 651-3521-00L | Tectonics | W | 3 credits | 2V | W. Behr, S. Willett | |
| Abstract | Comprehensive understanding of evolution, mechanics, and rheology of divergent, convergent and wrenching tectonic systems from the lithospheric scale to local shallow crustal and outcrop-scales. Evaluation of plate tectonic and other orogenic processes through the study of reference examples of taken in Alps-Himalaya orogenic system. | |||||
| Learning objective | Comprehensive understanding of evolution, mechanics, and rheology of divergent, convergent and wrenching tectonic systems from the lithospheric scale to local shallow crustal and outcrop-scales. Assessment of mechanisms responsible for plate movements (the Earth as a heat transfer machine, dynamics of earth mantle, plate driving forces) and subsequent large-scale structures (oceanic basins and cycle of the oceanic lithosphere, convergence and mountain systems and continental growth, etc) through theoretical and experimental information. Evaluation of plate tectonic and other orogenic processes through the study of reference examples of taken in Alps-Himalaya orogenic system. | |||||
| Content | Plate tectonic frame work: earth cooling and mantle-plate interaction, three kinds of plate boundaries and their roles and characteristics, cycle of oceanic lithosphere, longlifety and growth of continents, supercontinents. Rheology of layered lithosphere and upper mantle. Obduction systems Collisions systems Extensional systems Basin evolution Passive and active continental margin evolution | |||||
| Literature | Condie, K. C. 1997. Plate tectonics and crustal evolution. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Cox, A. & Hart, R. B. 1986. Plate tectonics. How it works. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. Dewey, J. F. 1977. Suture zone complexities: A review. Tectonophysics 40, 53-67. Dewey, J. F., Pitman III, W. C., Ryan, W. B. F. & Bonin, J. 1973. Plate tectonics and the evolution of the Alpine system. Geological Society of America Bulletin 84, 3137-3180. Kearey, P. & Vine, F. J. 1990. Global tectonics. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. Park, R. G. 1993. Geological structures and moving plates. Chapman & Hall, Glasgow. Turcotte, D. L. & Schubert, G. 2002. Geodynamics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Windley, B. F. 1995. The evolving continents. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. | |||||
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