Historical geology

obligatory courses

Bisemestral lecture and classes have an object to present geological history of the Earth, both history of processes and history of life. Systematic presentation of the Earth history is preceded by introduction to methodology of stratigraphy. During lecture the development of solar system and Earth planet is presented. Characteristic of Precambrian is focused on the early history of Earth crust, atmosphere and hydrosphaere and early beginning of the biological evolution. Phanerozoic history of the Earth, presented on the background of the plate tectonic, shows changes of palaeogeography, bioprovincionalism, tectonic events and evolution of sedimentary basins. Development of the continents is illustrated by examples mainly from Europe and North America. History of life is focused on the main stages of evolution, radiations and extinctions, connected with physical dynamism of planet.

Classes:

1. Stratigraphic classification: stratigraphical and geochronological units; lito-, bio-, chronostratigraphy.

2. Stratigraphic and radiometric age.

3. Interpretation of sedimentary features.

4. Interpretation of salinity and bathymetry of sediments.

5. Palaeogeographic reconstructions.

6. Magnetostratigraphy, Chemostratigraphy

7. Systematic review of systems: basic sections, basic facies, recognition of fossils, reconstruction of paleogeography

8. Reconstruction of processes forming Caledonian, Variscan and Alpine Mountains in Poland and in Europe.

9. Interpretation of specific facies and features: alum shales, graptolitic shales, anoxic deposits, stratigraphically condensed sections, cyclic sediments, coal and evaporitic formation, etc.

Orłowski S. i Szulczewski M. 1990. Geologia historyczna, część pierwsza. Wydawnictwa Geologiczne, Warszawa.

Stanley S.M. 2002. Historia Ziemi. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.

After the course, the student is capable of distinguishing in stratigraphic order the main stages of evolution of present-day Europe (with particular attention drawn on Poland), with focus on palaeogeographic , biotic and facies evolution. Based on facts, he is capable of analyzing the evolution of sedimentary environments of selected areas of Europe with regard to geotectonic and biotic transformations in selected stratigraphic intervals. He knows how to determine and date the basic fossils from all Phanerozoic systems. He is capable of interpreting orogenic phenomena based on analytical data. He is capable of unifying data from various fields of geology in order to recognize the history of selected areas of Europe in selected stratigraphic intervals.

Written semestral examinations.

none