Outline#
Course status
Archived course materials from Spring 2025.
Course Description#
In this course, we will explore how geologic and Earth surface processes, including tectonic, sea level and climate changes, are recorded and preserved in the stratigraphic record. Focus will be on modern and ancient case studies, with topics including basin analysis, cyclostratigraphy, process sedimentology and paleo-environmental reconstruction. Problem sets emphasize computational skills, including introductory time-series analysis, geospatial analysis and remote sensing.
The course will meet twice a week (M/Th) for lectures and on Fridays to work on the weekly assignment. You are encouraged to work together on all aspects of the weekly assignments, although copying or directly sharing code is not allowed. Each person must submit their own work (written answers, figures, etc.) and code used for all calculations. On Monday some weeks we will begin with a flipped classroom: I will randomly select at least two students to informally present their progress on the current weekly assignment. These presentations will serve as a jumping off point for the whole class to discuss and work through remaining challenges with help from the instructor. Any remaining time on Monday and all of Thursday will be used for lectures on new material, guided group discussions of assigned readings, or in class exams.
Learning Outcomes#
Below is a list of some specific knowledge and skills you can expect to gain through this course. This term you will:
- build models that numerically solve partial differential equations
- use your own models to develop intuition about the internal and external controls on stratigraphic architecture
- develop an understanding of the processes that lead to correlative surfaces
- consider the predictable patterns of when and where time is missing in basin
- use your understanding of process to interpret modeled and real stratigraphic data and infer the past
- build age models for stratigraphic data while considering uncertainty
- use time series analysis to look for cycles and patterns in stratigraphic data
- develop your scientific writing skills focusing on clear and precise communication
- consider processes that lead to differences between siliciclastic filled basins and carbonate filled basins