Earth Structures (GEOS3171)

The UNSW Earth Structures (GEOS3171) course seeks to unravel the history of the Earth’s continental crust and lithosphere and its distortion over millions of years, resulting in a complex three-dimensional form. The course aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of structural geology and its uses through theory and practice.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop an understanding of the geological structures of the Earth and the processes that formed them. This is achieved through the investigation of different geological structures and their features, structural evolution, deformational history and geophysical data.

By blending theory and practice, you’ll gain experience in using field mapping data to identify, measure and analyse small to large-scale regional and geological structures. You’ll learn how to apply such theory to solve real-world problems such as the geological reconstruction of deformed terrains and mineral and petroleum resource exploration.

Term offering: Term 1

Course attendance: In person

Discipline: Earth science

Course code: GEOS3171

This third-year course is conducted through a combination of lectures, lab exercises, quizzes and fieldwork. A five-day field mapping camp is an essential part of the course and will involve some cost to students.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete the following complimentary courses prior to enrolment:

• Fundamentals of Geology (GEOS1111).
  
• Earth and Environmental Science (GEOS1211).
• Field Methods and Mapping (GEOS2131).

Earth Scientists explore the nature, evolution and structure of our planet, studying everything from natural crystals to fossils and volcanoes. The study of Earth Science looks to better understand our planet and its plate tectonic history. We predict the location and control on distribution of mineral and petroleum resources.

In particular, the discipline of Structural Geology is used by Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrologists to study the composition, structure, history, and other physical attributes of the Earth. In a broader sense, Structural Geology provides you with a capacity to undertake four-dimensional analysis of complex problems that can apply to many fields of endeavour both in and outside of the Earth Sciences.

Relevant roles

• Meteorologist
• Geologist
• Geophysicist
• Mineral exploration
• Petroleum exploration
• Hydrologist
• Environmental scientist
• Natural resource manager