Structural geology field course

obligatory courses

(in Polish) Student posiada wiedzę na temat tektoniki i metod kartowania geologicznego.

Structural geology field course takes place in the Fore-Dukla Zone area in the Outer Carpathians region (Bieszczady Mts). Students perform structural mapping during the fieldwork with lecturer’s support. Students learn to identify lithostratigraphic units occurring in the study area, recognize and classify mezo- and small scale structures: folds, fractures and faults, the type of deformation of rocks and determine the relative dating of the deformation events. Based on observations and data collected during the fieldwork students perform geological map and geological cross-sections at a scale of 1:10000.

Structural geology field course is dedicated to students of the 1 year Tectonics and Geological Mapping specialization. The course takes place in the Fore-Dukla Zone area in the Outer Carpathians region (Bieszczady Mts).

During the fieldwork students work in two distinct groups. They conduct individual research – structural mapping – with support of the lecturer. Observations are carried out mainly in exposures locating along the streams. Students learn techniques in difficult terrain conditions. Significant forestration of the area requires the researcher a good sense of direction skills and often forces the use of traditional positioning localization methods (compass, topographic maps) instead of GPS. During the field studies students learn to identify lithostratigraphic units occurring in the study area, recognize mezo- and small scale structures: folds, fractures, faults and associated shear fractures, perform measurements of basic parameters of the structures, classify the type of deformation of rocks and determine the relative dating of deformation events: lithological contrasts between particular lithostratigraphic units in the study area enable students to observe the diversity of type and intensity of deformation, depending on the competence of deformed rocks. Morphology of the study area perfectly reflects the diversified lithology of rocks, which challenge the interpretation possibilities and is valuable information useful during geological map performing process.

Every day after fieldwork students perform geological map and geological cross-sections at a scale of 1:10000, which is, beyond the activity during the fieldwork, the basis of the final evaluation. Students learn to correlate data from exposures in adjacent streams. The field observations are supplemented by topographic map interpretation and remote sensing methods. Students learn the principles of the division of the study area into homogeneous domains and to prepare the collected data for the structural analysis by means of specialized computer software during Structural analysis computer laboratory, which takes place in the next semester (semester 9).

During the 6-day course 8 h for a day are provided for the fieldwork. Individual work after the fieldwork is estimated at 2 h for a day. Students have the opportunity to consult their progress with a lecturer.

After the Structural geology field course student:

- knows the geology and tectonics of the eastern part of the Silesian Nappe,

- understand complex tectonic processes associated with the development of thrusts in the Outer Carpathians

- has knowledge of the preparation of the geological map and geological cross-sections based on the data individually collected during fieldwork

- collects, analyzes, interprets the empirical data and formulates appropriate conclusions on the basis of collected data,

- is able to work individually and in a group during the study and the interpretation of the results.

The final grade is based on:

- student activity, individual work and ability to work in a group during and after the fieldwork (50% of the final grade),

- grade of the final project (50% of the final grade).