Historical geology

obligatory courses

A one semester lecture combined with classes is aimed to present the geological history of the Earth, including the history of the planet and of the life on it. A systematic description of the Earth's history is preceded by an introduction focused on the methods of dating the rocks and processes and on stratigraphical classifications. Phanerozoic history of the Earth is interpreted in terms of processes governed by plate tectonics and presents changes of worlds palaeogeography, facies provinces, major tectonic events and evolution of sedimentary basins. Development of continents is illustrated mainly on examples from Europe and North America. Presentation of the history of life embraces main stages of evolution, biological expansion, radiations and crisis, and their relation to palaeogeographical changes and the physical evolution of the planet is discussed.

The lecture is aimed to present theoretical foundations of interpreting the Earth's history basing on palaeontological, palaeomagnetic. geotectonic and facies data. The introduction to the Phanerozoic history of the Earth is preceded by presentation of the Precambrian stage of the Earth's development, including early evolution of the planet , formation of the Earth's crust, palaeogeographical changes and the evolution of atmosphere and hydrosphere. The Phanerozoic history of the Earth is presented in four main stratigraphical blocks: Early Palaeozoic, Late Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.

Within each of these blocks discussed are principles of stratigraphic divisions, palaeogeographical changes and main geotectonic phenomena, evolution of life, regional record of the continents history and facies development on the areas of present-day Europe and North America. Special attention is paid to the Cenozoic history of Earth and particularly to the processes leading to modern geography.

After completing the subject, the student is able to list in stratigraphical order the main stages of the Earth's history, taking into account palaeogeographical, biotic and facies changes. He is familiar with the main stages of life evolution on Earth, main episodes of radiation and crisis, and knows fossils that are characteristic for particular stages of Phanerozoic. He understands the theoretical foundations of interpreting orogenic phenomena. The student is able to compile data derived from various fields of geology into one integrity and reconstructs the history of selected regions of Europe in particular stratigraphic intervals.

Written exam, Written resit exam.