This short course introduces non-geologists to the fundamental principles of plate tectonics, structural geology, petrology, and geomorphology, showing how geologists study Earth’s materials and processes. A one-afternoon pre-conference field excursion will allow the participants to link observations in nature with geological theory.
The data available to geologists are often minimal, incomplete, and only partially representative of the geological history of our planet. To make sense of such limited information, geologists need to develop strong observational skills, master field techniques, and apply analytical methods to interpret the data accurately. By doing so, they gain an understanding of how the Earth has evolved through space and time, from its formation to the present.
We cover the following subjects:
0) Pre-conference field excursion – Linking observation and theory
1) The principles of geology – From mantle to surface
2) Mantle – Understanding the interior of the Earth
3) Crust – What rocks reveal about Earth’s processes
4) Surface – How landscapes form and evolve
5) Q&A session!
Pre-conference field excursion
We will host a half-day geological excursion, to link field observations with the theory behind Earth’s materials, structures, and processes. The excursion will take place at 12:30 on Sunday May 3 before the General Assembly, within 60 minutes by public transport from central Vienna. Participants should bring their own lunch, no additional costs are involved. Guided by the course experts, participants will explore rocks and structures in the field and discuss their formation and evolution. The excursion is designed at an entry level, giving participants a sense of how geologists study rocks in the field. This section will soon be updated with more details and a registration form.
60-minute short course
Our aim is not to turn you into a geology specialist, but to give you an idea of the data we use to study the Earth. We will introduce some of the methods currently used to collect geological data and we will show the challenges geologists face in the field. The course is designed to give you a feel for the capabilities of geological research and to foster interdisciplinary thinking.
The 60-minute short course is part of a series of introductory 101 courses that also includes Exoplanets, Geodesy, and Seismology. All courses are led by experts who aim to make complex Earth Science concepts accessible to non-experts.