66513 Marine Geosciences

Requisite(s): 66102 Introduction to Earth Systems

This is an elective subject suitable for any student undertaking study in the environmental sciences. It deals with the structure and morphology of ocean basins and their margins, including their origin and evolutionary history. Physical and chemical processes operating in the oceans and their interaction with the atmosphere and climate systems are examined. The nature and origin of seafloor sediments and the history of ocean and climate change are covered in detail, including the relationships between continental drift, ocean currents and climate variation. In particular the role of Tertiary and Quaternary ocean sediments in our understanding of climate and environmental change are assessed as part of an overall examination of the evidence for climate and climate change throughout geological history. The subject then examines in more detail Quaternary allocyclic factors that influence earth systems and their consequences. The subject covers Milankovitch cycles, ice ages, eustatic fluctuations and climate change: recordings of these in earth systems, and the consequences of these and other major influences on the geosphere-biosphere; and 'greenhouse' concepts and their relationship and responses to natural and anthropogenic input. As part of the subject, an examination of relevant methods of determining age, collecting and analysing field data and the application of modelling techniques are dealt with.

Additional subject costs: The subject includes a five-day excursion at approximate cost to students of $100 in 2007. For updated costs and excursion dates refer to the Department of Environmental Sciences website:

http://www.science.uts.edu.au/des/index.html

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus