UVG Introduction to geophysics

Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice
winter 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Ivo Opršal, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Ivo Opršal, Ph.D.
Department of Informatics and Natural Sciences – Faculty of Technology – Rector – Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice
Supplier department: Department of Informatics and Natural Sciences – Faculty of Technology – Rector – Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice
Prerequisites
Reading, writing, basics of natural sciences
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives supported by learning outcomes
Introduction to basic topics of modern geophysics for students of natural and technical sciences.
Learning outcomes
Student has knowledge of following topics: Earth tectonics, dynamics of mantle and core, seismology and ground motions, gravity and magnetic field of Earth.
Syllabus
  • 1. Spherically symmetrical Earth model. Crust, mantle and core – physics and composition. Seismically determined interfaces. Mantle processes, mineralogy and phase transitions. 2. Plate tectonics, Wegener theory. Sea floor spreading – subduction zones, rift and transform plate boundaries, trench zones, collision zones. Heat flow, deformation and stress, seismic and volcanic manifestation. 3. Lithosphere and its history. Lithosphere thickness, heat flow and cooling. 4. Earth mantle, asthenosphere. Heat sources and transfer in mantle – convection, conduction. Plumes, subduction and seismisity of subduction zones. Hot spots and shield volcanoes. 5. Earthquakes, seismicity, source zones. Tectonic earthquakes. Seismicity and volcanism – Pacific Ring of Fire. Historical earthquakes. Seismic waves, rays and hodochrones. Earthquake location and magnitude. Seismic tomography and Earth seismic models. Seismic interfaces in Earth models. Seismic waves in Earth core. 6. Earth magnetic field and its features. Earth dynamo, role of core on magnetic field generation. Earth core composition – fundamental findings. 7. Gravity field. Density anomalies and gravitational potential. Geoid. Anomalies, topography and isostatic compensation. Free oscillations of the Earth, seismic tomography and gravity – viscosity, density and interfaces determination. 8. Methods and tools of global geophysical research: Paleotechniques in age determination. Analysis of potential fields. Direct and reverse problems solutions. Modelling and simulation techniques and their features.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • W. Lowrie, Fundamentals of geophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
  • C.M.R. Fowler, The Solid Earth. Introduction to Global Geophysics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1990.
  • L.R. Lines, R.T. Newrick, Fundamentals of Geophysical Interpretation, Society Of Exploration Geophysicists, 978-1560801252, 2004.
  • A. Tarantola: Inverse Problem Theory and Methods for Model Parameter Estimation, Elsevier, 9780444599674, 1987.
Forms of Teaching
Seminar
Consultation
Teaching Methods
Frontal Teaching
Critical Thinking
Student Workload
ActivitiesNumber of Hours of Study Workload
Daily StudyCombined Study
Preparation for Seminars, Exercises, Tutorial13 
Preparation for the Final Test13 
Attendance on Seminars/Exercises/Tutorial/Excursion26 
Total:520
Assessment Methods and Assesment Rate
Test – final 100 %
Exam conditions
Written test according to the syllabus. To achieve the credit, it is necessary to meet at least 70 points out of 100.
Language of instruction
Czech
The course is also listed under the following terms summer 2020, winter 2020, summer 2021, winter 2021, summer 2022, winter 2022, SUMMER 2023, winter 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (winter 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.vstecb.cz/course/vste/winter2024/UVG