Field Techniques in Geosciences

Code: GEO13332L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Geology

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

In this training, students develop skills for observation, data collection, and interpretation of geological information that is available in outcrops and which serves as a map for the construction of geological maps.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

This curricular unit has two main distinct, but deeply connected, objectives. On one hand, the students will acquire a set of competencies allowing them to understand and represent outcrops of different geological environments, but also, they will be able to built and interpreted geological maps. This experience is fundamental for any geologist, no matter his field of expertise, and it is essential in every regional study. The knowledge gained from fieldwork will be also fundamental in the other geology disciplines of this course.
As some of the geological maps used in the practical classes are from real examples of Portugal, the students will also be able to acquire some competencies in the geology of Portugal.
In addition to the skills directly linked to geology, it is intended that students acquire competencies in teamwork as well as experience in collecting geological information.

Application of field geological data recording techniques: use of the geological compass, construction of geological schemes (e.g. cross-sections and maps), and localization using topographic maps, aerial photos, or GPS.
Application of the basic Geology principles to real field examples.
Description and analysis of litho-stratigraphic successions and geological structures (e.g. monoclines, folds, faults, and veins).
Use of previous knowledge in the construction of geological maps: different classes of units used in the maps (e.g. unit, group, formation, member, and bed) and criteria used for the definition of the geological limits.
Understanding of the different cartographic patterns and their boundaries (e.g. stratigraphic contacts, unconformity, intrusive contacts, and faults).
Analysis of geological maps representative of different environments: sedimentary, igneous (intrusive and volcanic), and metamorphic. Preferably it will be used real geological maps of Portugal.

Teaching Methods

The fundamental notions for fieldwork or analysis of geological maps will be given in the theoretical classes. The basic notions of field geology techniques will be acquired in 6 field trips representative of the various geological environments. In each field trip, the students will go to work independently in the recovery of the geological information, but also in groups for the small geological mapping exercises. The interpretation of the geological map will be performed in the practical laboratory classes, preferably using real geological maps of Portugal, which allows students to become familiar with the geology of Portugal.
The evaluation consists of: 2 individual field exams (20 + 20% = 40% final grade), group report and discussion of the prepared geological map (20% final grade) and test for analysis of geological maps (40% final grade). Alternatively: Individual final field exam (40% final grade), group report (20% final grade) and test for map analysis (40% final grade).