Earth's history

Teacher(s)

Vanacker Veerle;

Language

French

Main themes

Topics treated in lectures include : - the constituent minerals of rocks - the different types of rocks and their mode of occurrence - the mode of formation of these rocks by magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic processes - the deformation of the earth's crust and the resulting structures, at all scales - the chronological criteria used to recontruct the history of the earth's crust - the geology of Belgium and neighbouring areas. The practical classes are devoted to : - geological map-reading and three-dimensional interpretation using cross-sections - macroscopic identification of rocks and their forming minerals.

Content

This course covers the history of our planet, and presents a chronology of the geological time including the major geological and paleo-geographical events and biological evolution. The course also resumes a number of geological concepts laying the foundations of current paradigms in earth sciences.

During the practical exercises, we will determine rock, mineral and fossil specimens. This will be followed by the elaboration of a leaflet on a rock, mineral or fossil of the scientific collection of UCLouvain. 

Teaching methods

The teaching activities include 12 lectures with active participation of the students, short individual interventions by the students (with presentation of their favorite fossil), and 4 learning sessions with exercises and practical work. This will be followed by the preparation of a leaflet on one of the rocks, minerals or fossils of the scientific collection of UCLouvain.
It is possible to follow the lectures via Teams (virtual class live streaming).

Evaluation methods

The evaluation is based on a written exam that complements the continuous evaluation during the semester. The written exam will be in the form of open questions and multiple choice questions. The continuous evaluation will take place during the practical sessions, and evaluates (i) the student's capacity to apply their knowledge to identify rock, mineral, and fossil specimen, and (ii) the scientific content and elaboration of the leaflet.

Other information

The participation to the 4 sessions of practical exercises is mandatory. These are organized only once during an academic year. It is impossible to redo them in the second session. The preparation of the scientific leaflet is based on supervised individual research.

Online resources

https://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=9022

Teaching materials

• Boulvain, F., Pingot, J.L., 2015. Genèse du sous-sol de la Wallonie. Academie Royale de Belgique, Mémoire de la Classe des Sciences, Collection in-8°, IV° série, tome V. IMP Printing s.a., Ganshoren.
• Stanley, S.M., Luczaj, J.A., 2015. Earth System History. 4th Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, US.

Faculty or entity

GEOG