12.710 Marine Geology and Geophysics

Fall Semester 2001

Magnetic lineations in the North Atlantic.

Instructors

Dr. Peter Clift (WH, Clark 206A; pclift@whoi.edu)
Dr. Jerry McManus (WH, Clark 121; jmcmanus@whoi.edu)
Prof. Maria Zuber (MIT, 54-518; zuber@mit.edu)

Teaching Assistant

Maragaret Boettcher (MIT 54-522,(617) 253-3786 and WHOI Clark South 275B, (508) 289-3544), margaret@quake.mit.edu )

Class e-mail list

Class Times and Places

Lectures: Mon/Wed. 10:30-12:00, MIT 24-411
Labs/Discussion & Homework Sections: Thursday 4:00-5:00, WH/Clark 237

Course Description

An introduction to marine geology and geophysics. Topics include the geologic time scale, structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, marine sedimentation and stratigraphy, depositional and erosional processes, submarine morphology, paleoceanography, sea level changes and the evolution of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic global ocean and climate. This course is intended as part of a two-semester core course for first year MIT-WHOI Joint Program graduate students in marine geology and geophysics. However, it has also been structured to be appropriate for non-G&G students as a single semester course. There will be two 1-1/2 hour-long lectures each week. Problem sets will be regularly assigned and there will be occasional labs, literature discussion sections and a short cruise scheduled during the semester.

Grading

Mid-term exam -- 40%
Final exam -- 40%
Labs/Problem sets -- 20%

Readings

Because of the breadth of topics covered there is no single textbook that is adequate for the purpose. Lecture notes will be distributed for each class along with reading assignments in several relevant textbooks placed on reserve or in journals. Students are responsible for the material covered in both the lectures and the reading.

Recommended Text Books

On reserve in Lindgren Library, Building 54, MIT, and in Clark 237, WHOI:

• Fowler, C.M.R., The Solid Earth, Cambridge University Press, 1993.

  Kennett, J., Marine Geology and Geophysics, 1982.

  Broecker, W. The Glacial World According to Wally, 1995.

  Seawater: Its composition, properties and behaviour, The Open University, 1989.

  Ocean Chemistry and deep-sea sediments, The Open University, 1989.

  Stacey,F.D., Physics of the Earth, 3rd Edition, Brookfield Press, 1992.

  Turcotte, D.L., and G. Schubert, Geodynamics, Wiley & Sons, 1982.

  Cox, A., Plate Tectonics and Geomagnetic Reversals, W.H. Freeman and Co., 1973.

  Boggs, S. Jr., Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Merrill Publishing Co., 1995.

  Einsele, G. Sedimentary Basins - Evolution, Facies, and Sediment Budget, Springer-Verlag, 2000.

Syllabus and Class Notes
NOTE: Lecture schedule may be modified depending on instructor cruise schedules