Overview of Structural Geology (Chapter in D &R) Why is it important? - fundamental discipline in Earth Sciences- “the stud of the architecture of the Earth’s crust” - geometry is key to many ES applications (oil, mini Our goals: (1) to learn how to make structural observation present them to others; (2) to interpret the processes that led to the “fin “product”- the geologic observations Primary vs secondary structures Primary: depositional contacts, cross-bedding, ripple mar Ropy textures in lavas, mud-cracks; Secondary: these are the real structures we’re after- and are due to rock regional deformation Examples: Folds, faults, shear zones, etc QuickTime™ and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture Structural analysis: Descriptive analysis Kinematic analysis- deformational movements- transla rotations,distorsions, etc Dynamic analysis - interprets the forces and stresses associated to deformations Scale of analysis Geologic time scale 4.5 Ga old, structures can be very old Rates of processes Kinematic reconstruction: Rotations, translations, dilations, distortions QuickTime™ and a Cinepak decompressor are needed to see this picture Dynamic analysis: - physical models (experimental) - mathematical models (theoretical) QuickTime™ and a GIF decompressor are needed to see this picture QuickTime ™ a nd a GIF de compre s s or a re ne e de d to s e e this picture Read Chapter in DR Next: Large scale deformations QuickTime™ and a Photo decompressor are needed to see this picture