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Advanced Diploma in Structural Geology
In this free online course learn about the deformation of rocks and their development over geological time scales.
Description
This free online course introduces you to the main concepts in structural geology. You will learn about the architecture of rock formations and their development over geological time periods, and how deformed rocks and structures conceal a series of tales.
It begins with structural elements, measurements and stereographic projections of linear and planer features. You will learn about the concepts of stress, strain and rheology of rocks. This course provides insights into the deformation mechanisms of rocks, folds, foliation and lineation, boudinage, faults and joints, ductile shear zone and much more. The course also examines how rocks deform and change shape and how we can recognise and use structures within rocks, to determine ancient magnitudes and the orientations of stress fields.
Students of this course will be introduced to the techniques of recording and analysing structural data. They will be taught how to map rock sequences in the field and interrogate a region, to determine how it formed and what has happened to the area since formation. This course will be of interest to students studying geology-related subjects, laypersons interested in the topic and for career-development purposes. Start this course today and learn more about structural geology and its applications.
Start Course NowModules
Introduction and Basic Concepts
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Introduction and Basic Concepts – Learning Outcomes
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Introduction
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Models for Studying Earth Structures
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Introduction and Basic Concepts – Lesson Summary
Structural Elements
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Structural Elements - Learning Outcomes
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Structural Elements and Measurements
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Stereonet Basics
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Stereographic Projections
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Structural Elements - Lesson Summary
Concept of Strain
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Concept of Strain – Learning Outcomes
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Concept of Strain and Deformation (Part I)
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Concept of Strain and Deformation (Part II)
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Strain Measurement
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Concept of Strain – Lesson Summary
Concept of Stress
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Concept of Stress - Learning Outcomes
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Stress (Part I)
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Stress (Part II)
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Concept of Stress - Lesson Summary
Rheology of Rocks
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Rheology of Rocks - Learning Outcomes
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Basics of Rheology - Part I
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Basics of Rheology - Part II
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Basics of Rheology - Part III
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Complex Rheology
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Role of External Parameters
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Rheology of Rocks – Lesson Summary
Deformation Mechanism of Rocks
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Deformation Mechanism of Rocks - Learning Outcomes
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Crystal Defects and Associated Structures
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Cataclastic Deformation
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Intracrystalline Deformation
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Diffusive Mass Transfer
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Deformation Mechanism of Rocks – Lesson Summary
Foliation and Lineation
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Foliation and Lineation - Learning Outcomes
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Linear Fabrics
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Planar Fabrics I
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Planar Fabrics II
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Foliation and Lineation – Lesson Summary
Folds and Mechanisms
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Folds and Mechanisms - Learning Outcomes
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Basic Concepts
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Classifications
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Dip Isogons and Mechanisms
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Superposed Folding
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Folds and Mechanisms - Lesson Summary
Boudinage and Related Structures
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Boudinage and Related Structures - Learning Outcomes
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Porpyroblasts
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Boudinage and Pinch-and-Swell Structures I
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Boudinage and Pinch-and-Swell Structures II
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Stereonet Problem I
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Stereonet Problem II
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Stereonet Problem III
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Stereonet Problem IV
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Stereonet Problem V
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Boudinage and Related Structures – Lesson Summary
Fractures, Joints and Faults
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Fractures, Joints and Faults - Learning Outcomes
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Fracture and Joints I
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Fracture and Joints II
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Faults and Faulting
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Stereonet Problem VI
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Stereonet Problem VII
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Fractures, Joints and Faults – Lesson Summary
Ductile Shear Zone
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Ductile Shear Zone - Learning Outcomes
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Faults and Faulting II
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Ductile Shear Zones I
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Ductile Shear Zones II
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Ductile Shear Zones – Lesson Summary
Structural Mapping, Summary and Discussion
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Structural Mapping, Summary and Discussion - Learning Outcomes
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Construction of Geological Cross Section
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Live Session
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Basics of Litho- Structural Mapping
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Paleostress Analysis
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Graphical Problem
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Three Point Problem
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Topographic Profile
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Structural Mapping, Summary and Discussion - Lesson Summary
Course assessment
Learning Outcomes
Having completed this course you will be able to:
- Discuss the concepts of structural geology, tectonics and geodynamics
- Describe the role of the structural geologist
- Recognize the models for studying earth structures
- Explain the planar, linear and angular features of deformed rocks
- Discuss the basic concepts and construction of stereographic projection
- Explain how to plot structural data on stereonet
- State the concepts of homogeneous and heterogeneous deformation
- Describe how strain analysis is done in different dimensions
- Explain the concepts of mechanics, force and traction
- Discuss why stress on a surface is vector and stress at a point is tensor
- Explain how eigenvalues and eigenvectors are calculated mathematically
Certification
All Alison courses are free to enrol, study and complete. To successfully complete this Diploma course and become an Alison Graduate, you need to achieve 80% or higher in each course assessment. Once you have completed this Diploma course, you have the option to acquire an official Diploma, which is a great way to share your achievement with the world. Your Alison Diploma is:
Ideal for sharing with potential employers - include it in your CV, professional social media profiles and job applications
An indication of your commitment to continuously learn, upskill and achieve high results
An incentive for you to continue empowering yourself through lifelong learning
Alison offers 3 types of Diplomas for completed Diploma courses:
Digital Diploma - a downloadable Diploma in PDF format, immediately available to you when you complete your purchase
Diploma - a physical version of your officially branded and security-marked Diploma, posted to you with FREE shipping
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