Ge 112a Overview - Fall 2011
SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY Instructor Professor John Southard from MIT will teach Ge 112a during Fall term 2011. John’s office is 110 North Mudd. Feel free to stop by his office, or email southardjb@aol.com to set up a time. TA The TA for the course is Lauren Edgar. Lauren will hold office hours per request. If you have questions, email ledgar@caltech.edu to set up a time. Course Description Ge 112a is 12 units (3-5-4) and is offered during the first term. Prerequisite: Instructor’s Permission. A lecture and lab course that provides an introduction to the production, transport and deposition of sediments, and the formation of sedimentary rocks. Physics and chemistry of sedimentary materials. Scale and geometry of near-surface sedimentary bodies. Survey of major sedimentary rock types and deposition in modern environments. Analysis of depositional systems and facies architecture, including seismic data interpretation. Several field trips explore depositional systems. Meeting Time and Place Lectures will take place on Tuesdays from 9-10:30am and Fridays from 11am-12:30pm in 267 Arms. Additionally, there will be lab meetings on Wednesdays from 2:00-5:00pm in 267 Arms. Textbook There is not an official textbook for the course. The lecture notes will serve as the main text for the class, but two recommended references are Sedimentology and Sedimentary Basins by M. Leeder and Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy by S. Boggs. Labs Wednesday afternoons will be used for labs and occasional afternoon field trips. Please see the schedule here: Lectures and Labs. Field Trip There will be a long weekend field trip to Death Valley. There will also be a couple of short day-trips to the Ridge Basin. Individual Work Policy Each student is to perform his or her own work. Oral discussion among students is permitted for labs and field trips. Grading The final letter grade will be composed of lab, field trip and participation grades. Lab and field trip reports are expected to be handed in on the due date. Late work will be penalized 10 points per day (you may ask for an extension if you are ill and have a written doctor’s note). Questions? Email John Southard southardjb@aol.com or Lauren Edgar ledgar@caltech.edu. mailto:southardjb@aol.commailto:ledgar@caltech.eduhttp://www.amazon.com/Sedimentology-Sedimentary-Basins-Turbulence-Tectonics/dp/0632049766http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Sedimentology-Stratigraphy-3rd-Boggs/dp/0130996963Lectures%20and%20Labs.htmlmailto:southardjb@aol.commailto:ledgar@caltech.edushapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3shapeimage_3_link_4shapeimage_3_link_5shapeimage_3_link_6