EARTHSCI 714 : Earthquake Geology
Science
2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The initial section of the course explores fundamental concepts of crustal strength and modes of failure from geological and geophysical perspectives and seminal literature which are then applied or explored in greater depth through application to the case study of the Alpine Fault, New Zealand. This course is delivered through an optional four-day South Island field trip (11-14th April 2023) or virtual alternative and weekly contact that range from more formal delivery of content to the computer lab or discussion sessions where students and staff can interact as work on assessment tasks is progressed.
This course is ideal preparation for work in tectonics, seismic hazard, or engineering geology but also has a strong focus on the development of communication and quantitative skill. Some background in tectonics/earth science will be assumed.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Comprehend the mechanisms of crustal stress release including the source conditions and resulting deformation. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Analyse data in time and space to resolve patterns and link these to process (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
- Research and synthesise literature to explain the spatial and temporal evolution of a mature fault zone (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Demonstrate use of public datasets to explore the details of significant (global) earthquakes (Capability 1 and 3)
- Model crustal strength, applying theory to different tectonic settings, abstracting appropriately and justifying assumptions and parameterisation (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Communicate effectively to a professional standard (Capability 4)
Assessments
Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
---|---|---|
Coursework | 15% | Group Coursework |
Coursework | 7.5% | Individual Coursework |
Coursework | 7.5% | Group & Individual Coursework |
Practical | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
Reports | 30% | Individual Coursework |
Research | 30% | Individual Coursework |
6 types | 100% |
Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
Coursework | ||||||||||
Coursework | ||||||||||
Coursework | ||||||||||
Practical | ||||||||||
Reports | ||||||||||
Research |
Tuākana
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials,
one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html
As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of Environment Tuākana Programme aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection) and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved.Māori and Pacific's students are encouraged to contact Sonia Fonua (s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz) or Kimoro Taiepa (kimoro.taiepa@auckland.ac.nz) for information about the Tuākana programme.
Key Topics
- Fractures, Faults and Fluids
- Fault rocks and Fault zones
- The Basics of Earthquake seismology
- Styles of stress release
- Alpine Fault Architecture at Gaunt Creek: Summary unit descriptions and conceptual model of brittle fracture patterns
- Patterns of Alpine Fault Seismicity
Special Requirements
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 10 hours of lectures, 10 hours of tutorial time, an optional four-day residential field trip, and 90 hours of reading, thinking about the content, and working on the assignments which are directly tied to class, tutorial, and field trip activities.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled classes including lectures and laboratories/tutorials to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings but other learning activities including laboratories/tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable with the 4-day optional field trip.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Seminal to cutting edge peer reviewed literature will be used to support this course.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.