2025
Field Techniques in Geosciences
Name: Field Techniques in Geosciences
Code: GEO02673L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geosciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The objectives of this UC is to familiarize students with the field work, to encourage a taste for geology and understand geometric relationships between the different rocks that occur in a certain place, and relating this observation to formalize a succession of geological events that presided over the genesis of them.
The students will learn how to correctly complete the field book in a methodical way; use the compass in geology and knowing procedures and criteria for sampling and collect geological information on rocky outcrops.
Skills to identify and characterize rocks, minerals and geological structures in the field as well as basic notions about reading and interpreting topographic and geological features also will be teached.
Students will learn use the GPS as an auxiliary tool in the field.
Since this is the first UC in which the field work is performed systematic, the students will be initiated in the preservation of geological outcrops that may be interested as geomonuments.
The students will learn how to correctly complete the field book in a methodical way; use the compass in geology and knowing procedures and criteria for sampling and collect geological information on rocky outcrops.
Skills to identify and characterize rocks, minerals and geological structures in the field as well as basic notions about reading and interpreting topographic and geological features also will be teached.
Students will learn use the GPS as an auxiliary tool in the field.
Since this is the first UC in which the field work is performed systematic, the students will be initiated in the preservation of geological outcrops that may be interested as geomonuments.
Contents
Use the compass in geology: Reference to magnetic declination and its determination to 1:25,000 scale topographic maps; Orientation 1:25,000 scale topographic map using the compass; Determination of azimuths and location in the field by the method of inverse azimuths; Determination of the attitude of a plan; Determination of the attitude of a line.
Rocks and Minerals: Identification and characterization of minerals, sedimentary rocks, igneous and metamorphic rocks by gross examination.
Execution of geological profiles of the scale of the outcrop.
Execution of synthetic stratigraphic columns prepared in accordance with observations made on the scale of the outcrop.
Drafting of schematic plans interpretation the observations made at the outcrop scale.
Using GPS to support field work, regarding the geographical location marking points on the GPS and in topographic maps.
Rocks and Minerals: Identification and characterization of minerals, sedimentary rocks, igneous and metamorphic rocks by gross examination.
Execution of geological profiles of the scale of the outcrop.
Execution of synthetic stratigraphic columns prepared in accordance with observations made on the scale of the outcrop.
Drafting of schematic plans interpretation the observations made at the outcrop scale.
Using GPS to support field work, regarding the geographical location marking points on the GPS and in topographic maps.
Teaching Methods
The basics of topography and geological map reading will be taught in the classroom.
Is scheduled practice for location and orientation in the field, in order to consolidate the use of topographic and geological location of the registration of data, in this will be introduced use of GPS.
The study visits lasting one day will be held in order of increasing complexity of the structures represented. In all visits will be given emphasis to the identification and characterization of rocks, minerals and structures (contacts, faults, etc.). Through illustration, problem solving, and guidance in filling out the field book, students will learn methods of systematic observation to collect geological data.
Preserving of geological outcrops, where appropriate, will be taken samples in order to illustrate the procedures in the sampling process.
Continuous assessment 25%; Field Book 25% Final exam theoretical/practical with mandatory oral examination 50%.
Is scheduled practice for location and orientation in the field, in order to consolidate the use of topographic and geological location of the registration of data, in this will be introduced use of GPS.
The study visits lasting one day will be held in order of increasing complexity of the structures represented. In all visits will be given emphasis to the identification and characterization of rocks, minerals and structures (contacts, faults, etc.). Through illustration, problem solving, and guidance in filling out the field book, students will learn methods of systematic observation to collect geological data.
Preserving of geological outcrops, where appropriate, will be taken samples in order to illustrate the procedures in the sampling process.
Continuous assessment 25%; Field Book 25% Final exam theoretical/practical with mandatory oral examination 50%.
Accreditations and Certifications
