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651-3521-AAL 3 Credits MSC D-ERDW

Tectonics

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Taras Gerya, Prof. Dr. Whitney Behr
Examiners: Prof. Dr. Taras Gerya
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:38:08

Abstract

Comprehensive understanding of role and evolution of oceanic and continental lithosphere in global plate tectonics and evolution of earth. Understanding principles of theoretical and experimental geothermics and fundamentals of mantle and lithosphere rheologies.

Objective

Comprehensive understanding of role and evolution of oceanic and continental lithosphere in global plate tectonics and evolution of earth. Understanding principles of theoretical and experimental geothermics and fundamentals of mantle and lithosphere rheologies.

Content

Concept of lithosphere-asthenosphere system in plate tectonics. Physics, chemistry, and rheology of crust and uppermost mantle. Thermal, chemical, and mechanical evolution and destruction/subduction of oceanic lithosphere and evolution of continents. Continental growth, example Europe. Fundamentals of rheology and geothermics of the mantle-lithosphere-crust system.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Detailed scriptum in digital form and additional learning moduls (www.lead.ethz.ch) available on intranet.

Literature

see list in scriptum.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Semesterly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
revision course / private study Tectonics
Self-study course. No presence required.
No time listed 90 h semesterly

Offered In