Historical geology

obligatory courses

A knowledge of stratigraphic table, knowledge of basic features of marine and terrestrial sedimentary environments. General knowledge of palaeogeography of Europe and Poland. General knowledge of geotectonic theories related to the Earth structure and processes.

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.

Lecture:

1. Theoretical aspects of paleontological, paleomagnetic, geotectonic and facies basis for interpretation of Earth history.

2. Methods used in dating of rocks and processes.

3. Early evolution of Earth; mechanism of Earth crust forming; Precambrian paleogeography; atmosphaere and hydrosphaere evolution.

4. Precambrian history of life: oldest fossils, theories of origin of life, explosion of stromatolites, evolution from Monera and Protoctista to the metazoan fauna, fauna from Ediacara

5. Phanerozoic history is presented in four blocks: Early Paleozoic, Late Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Kenozoic. Within each block are presented: basis of stratigraphic division, changes of world paleogeography, main geotectonic events, evolution of life, regional stratigraphic record, facies development in Poland, Europe and in other regions.

6. In the Early Paleozoic block details of Cambrian explosion of life are presented, with emphasis on the early Cambrian and Ordovician radiation. Detailed history and structure of European Caledonides are presented.

7. In the Late Paleozoic block the lecture is focused on the evolution of plants, eustatic changes of sea level and Permo-Carboniferous glaciation of southern hemisphaere. History of consolidation of Pangea and history of Variscan tectonic movements is presented in details. Mass extinctions in the end of Frasnian and in the end of Permian are discussed.

8. Mesozoic history is concentrated on the spreading of Gondwana into modern continents. Different stages of life development, especially evolution of dinosaurs, are presented.

9. Coenozoic history is focused on the glaciation of northern hemisphaere, evolution of life (especially of mammals) and orogenic processes connected with Alpine orogenesis and formation of Forecarpathian Basin.

After the course the student is capable of presenting in stratigraphic order the main stages of Earth’s history, including palaeogeographic, biotic and facies transformations. He knows the basic stages of the evolution of life on earth, the main radiations and crises as well as the most significant fossil assemblages for each system of the Phanerozoic. He has the theoretical background for interpreting orogenic phenomena. He is capable of unifying data from different fields of geology to reconstruct Earth’s history in selected parts of Europe in particular stratigraphic intervals.

Presence at lectures verified by attendance record (up to 20% of the grade); written exam during the 1st and/or 2nd attempt.

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