GEO4850 – Basin Tectonics and Structures

This course covers the structural evolution of sedimentary basins, from plate-scale tectonic processes to the development of individual faults. Students utilize seismic data and field mapping techniques to analyse geological structures in the subsurface. We learn qualitative and quantitative methods to establish the timing of tectonic activity, controlling factors, and driving forces. We focus on the mainly brittle deformation of the upper crust on geological timescales and apply this knowledge to assess the impact of these structures on subsurface fluid flow.

Integrated basin analysis is relevant to hydrocarbon exploration, CO2 and hydrogen storage, geological waste disposal, geothermal systems, earthquake hazards, geotechnical engineering and hydrogeology.

After finishing this course, you will be able to

• identify and describe faults, folds and other structures developed in the upper crust using geological and geophysical data
• interpret the development of the structures and infer their regional tectonic setting (e.g. extensional, strike-slip, contractional, salt basin)
• discuss the deformation mechanisms and controlling factors that influence the geometry of the structures
• assess the impact of structures on subsurface fluid flow by integrating datasets across different spatial scales (e.g. seismic data, field data, well data)

Both master's students and PhD candidates can take this course.

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other master's degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb. If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to master's students who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included.

The course has a limited capacity. If there are more applicants than places, the applicants will be ranked after the following categories:

1. Master's students in Geosciences admitted to one of the following programme options (not prioritized order):
   • Geosciences (master)
   • CS: Geoscience (programme option)
2. PhD candidates from the University of Oslo (MN-faculty)
3. Other students

Applicants will be ranked by the number of ECTS-credits within each category: all applicants within category 1 are ranked before applicants in category 2. If there are space limitations in the course, available places will be given to students selected randomly within the same category.

The course includes a compulsory field course of 7-12 days in southern Spain (or elsewhere). A health and safety course for safety in the field must be passed before you can go on this:

• HMS0504 – Field Safety

• GEO2130 – Structural Geology / GEL2130 – Structural geology (continued) or similar knowledge
• GEO3240 – Seismic Interpretation

The course is divided into thematic modules covering different tectonic settings. There are typically 3 x 2 hours of sessions per week (subject to change). The teaching is delivered as a mix of lectures, interactive seminars and practical exercises throughout the semester.

The course’s fieldwork module is mandatory. There are two compulsory parts of the coursework that together contribute towards the final grade:

• Field mapping compilation and report
• Course summary presentation

Practical exercises are arranged weekly throughout the semester and will be submitted for approval. 80% of the exercises need to be approved to join the field work.

The field mapping component requires 7-12 days of compulsory fieldwork in Spain (or elsewhere) in October (timing decided by course start). Students are expected to read introductory literature before a pre-travel seminar. After fieldwork, the field notebook and a written summary report will be submitted and count towards the final grade.

Late in the semester, there will be a seminar in which the students present summaries of topics covered in the lectures. The presentation will count towards the final grade.

Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the course responsible.

We reserve the right to change the teaching form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.

General information about excursions at the Department of Geosciences

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance coverage as a student.

• Approved attendance during 7-12 days of mandatory fieldwork, and approval of 80% of the practical exercises, is required for the candidate to be eligible to sit the final examination.
• The field work notebook and written report count 30% towards the final grade.
• The late semester seminar counts 10% towards the final grade.
• The final exam counts 60% towards the final grade.
• Both the field work notebook and written report, the late seminar and the final examination must be passed separately before the student can be awarded a final grade in the course.

The final exam is typically conducted as an oral exam. A written exam may replace the oral exam depending on the number of students participating in the course. This will be decided between the teacher and students with adequate notice.

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course:

• GEO9850

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.