Fieldwork 2, module 1 Spain (basins)

Course goals

Content

A – Fieldwork preparation
In the first week important items will be addressed, which are related to the geology and evolution of the Pyrenees and the logistics and practical aspects of the fieldwork.

B – Fieldwork
The fieldwork consists of two parts: an excursion which takes place in different areas across the Pyrenees and a geologic field skill training in the foreland fold-and-thrust belt of the Pyrenees.
 

1. The excursion across the Pyrenees provides insight in the architecture, kinematics and rock content of the orogen and aims at relating rock types to associated mountain building processes through outcrop-scale observations. The excursion will start in the northern (French) foreland of the Pyrenees and will end in the external zone of Spanish Pyrenees. Topis that will be addressed during the excursion include: (a) Structure and evolution of the North Pyrenean Zone including pre-shortening extension, exhumation of mantle rocks and the formation of the North Pyrenean Fault; (b) structure and kinematics of Variscan versus Alpine phases of mountain building recorded in the Axial Zone; establishing overprinting relations based on stratigraphy, deformation structures, metamorphism and igneous activity; (c) vertical motions in mountain belts, the formation of syn-orogenic sedimentary basins and relationship of basin fill to tectonic and climatic forcing; (d) anatomy and evolution of the external zone of the Pyrenees as recorded by the interplay of deformation and sedimentation.
2. The field-skill training in the fold-and-thrust belt of the Pyrenees builds on the knowledge and insights acquired during the excursion and focuses on developing mapping skills in a structurally and stratigraphically complex area with the aim of establishing its geological history.
3. Basin analysis fieldwork is often the starting point of the development of sophisticated stratigraphic and structural models of the subsurface that are used to model the flow of fluids, such as drinking water, and risks associated with the use of the subsurface, such as storage of (nuclear) waste, for example. The wedge-top basins of the southern Pyrenees are an ideal outdoors classroom to study how sedimentary systems respond to the creation of accommodation by tectonic deformation of the crust. We will study the preserved syntectonic successions of the Tremp and Àger basins, which are two of the most visited basins in the world due to their world class outcrops and diversity of examples of geological processes, structures, and materials. During this part of the course, you will study the record of continental collision and mountain building as preserved in the stratigraphy of the two basins. Through the acquisition of field data and detailed observations you will interpret basin stratigraphy in terms of controls on sedimentation and stratigraphic architecture and link those to the dynamics of basin development and basin fill during continental collision.

Travel to the Pyrenees will be done by mini-vans and accommodation consists of well-equipped campings in or close to the field regions.
 
NB: Signing up for the course is solely possible during the regular registration period!

Course Skills

Data skills: Geological data analysis
Students will be able to proficiently identify, collect, and analyse geological field data to reconstruct a region's geological history. Geological software, Gis-based tools will be used to locate and analyse spatial and field data and visualize results in the form of detailed maps and stereographic projections. The maps and analyses will be presented and signed off during the field work and practicals.

Field skills: Geological fieldwork and mapping
Students will be able to conduct geological fieldwork, including identifying minerals, rock types and (sedimentary, deformation) structures, and establishing temporal and spatial relationships of such geological features. During the fieldwork, students will engage in hands-on mapping exercises and documentation of field observations to reconstruct geological processes. Their field maps, profiles, logs, stereograms and reports will be presented and assessed during the fieldwork and practicals.

Thinking skills: Geological process interpretation
Students will learn to critically analyse and synthesize geological data to interpret complex geological processes. During the field work, students will establish causal links between deep crustal processes and sedimentary basin development through the acquisition of relevant field observations.
Their interpretations will be presented in reports and assessed for critical thinking and coherence.

Communication skills: Reporting and presenting geological findings
Students will be able to effectively communicate observations and collected data through various products including maps, cross sections or conceptual sketches portraying geological concepts. These will be evaluated for clarity, coherence, and scientific accuracy.

Earth sciences in society: Societal implications of geology
Students will be able to identify tectonic structures related to geo-hazard, identify sedimentary formations and igneous rocks suitable for geo-energy and storage applications and identify source rocks for critical metals. These topics will be discussed throughout the course.