Agenda
Day 1
Fundamentals and Ductile Structures – The course will provide an introduction to structural geology at the small-scale. This will include a review of the types of forces that affect rocks, and the stresses and strains produced by these forces within the rock. The concept of “Rheology” will be reviewed as well as ductile deformation and its expression in folding and foliations. At the end of day one a basic structural geology problem will be solved during a class exercise.
Day 2
Brittle and Other Structures – Day two will continue a review of meso scale structures but will be focused on features produced by brittle deformation such as faulting and fracturing. Additionally veins and other structural features such as domes, unconformities, and salt tectonic features will be reviewed. Various structural features will be reviewed during the day two exercise.
Day 3
Structural Expression, Mapping and Modeling – During day three the expression of faults, folds and various structural attributes within the surface seismic data and within borehole logging data will be reviewed. During this portion of the course a short seismic interpretation exercise will be conducted.
Day 4
Tectonic Environments and Regional Tectonics – During day four and the morning of day five participants will be provided with an understanding of the fundamentals of the Earth’s structure, plate tectonics, The Wilson Cycle, as well as extensional, convergent, and strike slip regimes. A review of global tectonic terrains and Paleo-tectonics will also be provided.
Day 5
This day will continue the theme of Global Tectonic Terrains from Day Four, and also cover Paleo-structural Analysis – A review of the fundamentals of Basin and Petroleum System Modeling will be conducted during the afternoon.
Topics
Key Learning Elements
• A foundational understanding of the forces, stresses, strains and deformations typically found in rocks.
• A review of the various types of deformation mechanisms and resulting structures including types of faults, folds and fractures.
• A review of the various meso-scale structures such as salt and shale diapers, domes, and unconformities.
• An examination of the features observed on surface seismic and within wellbores that pertain to various structural features.
• Detailed review of various tectonic terrains and mechanisms, mega-scale structures, the Wilson cycle and the concept of tectonic inheritance.
Audience
Geoscientists who wish to improve their detailed knowledge of Structural Geology up to skill level.
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of Geology. Sound understanding of structural Geology ; this is not meant to be a beginners-level course