SYLLABUS
ESCI 6400: STRUCTURAL INTERPRETATION OF SEISMIC REFLECTION PROFILES

Practical application of the reflection seismic method used in the tectonic analysis of deformed belts and sedimentary basins. Includes case studies from around the world, with emphasis on the integration of seismic reflection data with other surface and subsurface geological/geophysical information as well as on the use of restorable structural sections. Basics of seismic processing are introduced in the framework of interpretation problems.
Instructor: M. Beatrice Magnani

Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00 pm - 4:25 pm in the Conference room, Long building, CERI. Credit: 4
Office hours are: Wed, 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm

August 29: Introduction to the seismic reflection profile method, explanation of the most common pitfalls in the interpretation of seismic reflection data.

August 31: Introduction to seismic stratigraphy. Seismic stratigraphic exercise (Borneo).

EXTENSION
September 5: Intro to extensional tectonics
September 7: Nevada, North Shetland Trough, Newark basin
September 12: Offshore Java
September 14: North Viking Graben<>
September 19: Gulf of Mexico - Brazos line

PASSIVE MARGINS<>
September 21: Intro to Passive Margins
September 26: no class
September 28: no class
October 3: volcanic passive margins - Namibia and Pelotas basin
October 5: non volcanic passive margins - Tarfaya basin (Morocco)

<>SALT TECTONICS
October 12: Intro to salt tectonics
Mid Term Recess
October 19: Sigelsum salt intrusion, comparison to synthetics
October 24: Aquitaine Basin
October 26 - 31: Offshore Louisiana line D and F

FOLDED BELTS
November 2: Melville Island
November 7: Wyoming thrust belt

FOREDEEP BASINS
November 9: Po Plain
November 16: North Slope, Alaska

INVERSION TECTONICS
November 21: Intro to inversion tectonics
Thanksgiving
November 28: Lombok, Indonesia
November 30: Southern North Sea
December 5: Discussion of material in class

Grading scheme:

  • - Participation: 25%
    Class attendance, participation in discussion in class
    - Assignments: 75%
    You are supposed to submit a fully interpreted section for each profile (unless otherwise advised) including a short text describing the profile and the tectonic evolution. You are supposed to maintain a notebook with all the profiles and assignments. Notebook submissions are due at the end of each structural segment.

    This syllabus is intended to be flexible and it may change during the course depending on the overall progress and specific needs of the class. Any student with a disability requiring accommodations in this course is encouraged to contact me after class or during office hours. With any kind of question please call 901 678 4830 (work) or contact me by email (mmagnani@memphis.edu) during office hours.

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