Subject information

625-311 Field Applications of Structural Geology

University Handbook entry

When and where

Wednesday, 26th June to Monday, 8th July (inclusive) 2002
8 days of Field mapping and 3 days of visits to selected sites around Broken Hill

Subject coordinator

Professor Chris Wilson

Contact details of subject coordinator

Room 443
(03) 8344 6538
cjlw@unimelb.edu.au

About this subject

The aim of this field program is to give you experience in mapping and identifying stratigraphy, structure, igneous intrusions and mineralisation in areas that involve high-grade metamorphic rocks. A mapping exercise will be conducted approximately 11 km north of Broken Hill and there will be visits to other key sites that will expose you to aspects of the evolution of the amphibolite-granulite facies rocks that are incorporated in the Early Proterozoic Willyama Supergroup cropping out in the semi-desert environment of Broken Hill. At the conclusion of the excursion you should be able to relate metamorphic fabrics to discrete structural surfaces and build up a tectonic and metamorphic history in an area that contains one of the worlds largest silve-lead-zinc orebodies.

Context and Generic skills

Given that many of the world's mineral resources are in orogenic belts, so involve deformed and metamorphosed rocks, being able to mske and understand structural and metamorphic field observations is essential for the working geologist in the mineral resources industry.

More generally, the skills acquired in this subject relate to the making and recording of observations and, particularly, the recognition that not all observations may have useful information in them because of ambiguity of meaning.

Textbooks and other resources

see handout for field class

Subject outline

Assessment

see handbook entry

Additional information for this subject