NIGK15016U Lithosphere Structure from Geophysical Data

Knowledge:

• An understanding of the current state-of-the-art geophysical methods for studying the lithosphere, including uncertainties, resolution, theoretical and practical limitations.
• General knowledge of the structure of the lithosphere in different tectonic settings globally.
• An overview of processes that form, modify and destroy the lithosphere with understanding of the links between the lithosphere structure and its evolution.
• Practical importance of knowledge of the lithosphere structure and processes: natural hazards, retention of natural resources in different tectonic settings, etc.
• Appreciation of the limitations of our present understanding of the lithosphere structure and evolution, including major on-going debates in geophysics.

Skills:

• Identification of key features of the lithosphere
• Identification of methods for imagining the lithospheric structure
• Understanding of current literature on the subject, including skills to critically summarize information, present this understanding, and defend your point of view.
• Understanding of geodynamic process leading to formation of mineral and hydrocarbon resources in relation to the lithosphere structure and evolution.
• Scientific reporting, including report writing in the style of a research proposal, and oral presentations.

Competences:

Upon completion of the course, students should show:

•  understanding of the globally heterogeneous structure of the lithosphere and its characteristics in different tectonic settings;
• geophysical methods for studies of structure and processes in the lithosphere, including theoretical and practical limitations of the methods and their interpretations;
• processes that form and modify the lithosphere, including formation and retention of mineral and hydrocarbon resources in the Earth.
• The student should demonstrate this insight by scientific reporting on provided subjects.