Geological Oceanography (OCN 622) Fall, 2008
T Th 1:30 – 2:45 PM, MSB 315

Instructors:  G. McMurtry, M. Mottl
Readings:  P&S = Press & Siever, The Earth; K = Kennett, Marine Geology

Part I:  Dynamics, Igneous & Metamorphic Processes in the Oceans (#1-8=MM)

1.  T  8/26                    Ocean floor physiography (P&S chapter 1,20; K chapters 1,2)
2.  Th 8/28                   Dynamics of mid-ocean ridges and transform faults (P&S 4; K 4)
3.  T  9/2                      Dynamics of ocean basins and subduction zones (P&S 21; K 5,12)
4.  Th  9/4                    Hot spots and mantle plumes (P&S 5)
5.  T  9/9                      Introduction to oceanic minerals and rocks (P&S 3)
6.  Th  9/11                  Igneous rocks, minerals, and processes in the oceans I (P&S 15,16)
7.  T  9/16                    Igneous rocks, minerals, and processes in the oceans II (P&S 15,16)
8.  Th  9/18                  Metamorphic processes in the oceans (P&S 17)
  
Part II:  Geology & Geophysics of the Ocean Basins (#9-12 =MM, #13-16=GM)

9.    T  9/23                  Nature and origin of the oceanic crust I (K 7)
10.  Th  9/25                Nature and origin of the oceanic crust II (K 7)
11.  T  9/30                  Hot springs and polymetallic sulfide deposits
12.  Th 10/2                 Heat flow (P&S 1,14)
13.  T  10/7                  Marine seismology, seismic reflection & refraction (P&S 18)
14.  Th  10/9                Earth's gravitational field (P&S 19)
15.  T 10/14                 Global hydrocarbon resources I (P&S 23)
16.  Th 10/16               Global hydrocarbon resources II
 
T   10/21                      MID-TERM EXAMINATION

Part III:  Sedimentary Processes in the Oceans (#17-24=GM)

17.  Th   10/23             Nearshore sediments and processes I (P&S 11; K 10)
18.  T 10/28                 Nearshore sediments and processes II (P&S 11; K 10)
19.  Th   10/30             Pelagic sediments: types, origin, distribution (K 13,14)
       T 11/4                   Holiday: Election Day
20.  Th   11/6               Sediment dynamics: erosion, transport processes (K 15)
       T 11/11                 Holiday: Veterans Day 
21.  Th  11/13              Oceanic deposits I: Ferromanganese nodules, crusts
22.  T  11/18                Oceanic deposits II: Chemical weathering and clays
23.  Th   11/20             Stratigraphy I: litho-, bio-, and chronostratigraphy (K 3)
24.  T 11/25                 Stratigraphy II: sampling; radio- and stable isotopes

Part IV:  Global Perspectives on Earth History (#25-26 =GM, #27-28=MM)
    
       Th   11/27             Holiday: Thanksgiving Day
25.  T 12/2                   Paleoceanography I: time series and time slices (K 17,18)
26.  Th   12/4               Paleoceanography II: paleogeography; extinctions (K 19)
27.  T  12/9                  Paleoclimate
28.  Th 12/11               Paleotectonics and megacycles (skim K 6)

T  12/16                       FINAL EXAMINATION

Course grade:  35% Final + 35% Mid-term + 20% Homework + 10% Class participation