Units / EAE2511
EAE2511 · Deep earth processes
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 2School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit is about understanding processes that continuously change the Earth's crust. The unit starts with minerals and magmatic and volcanic rocks, focusing on how they form and how volcanic activity is controlled by plate tectonics. It then goes on to investigate how rocks deform as a result of the forces of plate tectonics to form mountains or to split continents apart. The final part of the unit investigates how rocks become metamorphosed when they are pushed deep into continents by plate tectonics. At the end of this unit you will have an understanding of how plate tectonics control magmatism and metamorphism and how rocks deform to modify the crust. These topics are essential for understanding geological processes and therefore the origin of continents and oceans and their hazards and resources.
Areas of study: Earth science
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | Second semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quizzes | Quiz / Test | 10% | — |
| 2 | Practical work including field trip | Demonstration | 40% | — |
| 3 | Final assessment Part 1 | Quiz / Test | 15% | Threshold |
| 4 | Final Assessment - Part 2 | Written | 35% | — |
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret geological processes in the context of global tectonic settings and to demonstrate a broad, integrated overview of crustal processes on planet Earth;
- Analyse magmatic, metamorphic rocks and their deformation (structures);
- Interpret tectonic environments from magmatic, metamorphosed and deformed rocks;
- Reconstruct the link between the variety of rock types and plate tectonics. How mountain-building and continental rifting processes drive processes that give rise to this variety.
Workload
Total 144 hours over 12 weeks, which includes: • Two hours of lectures; • One 1-hour workshop and • One 3-hour practical per week • Two 1-day field trips • Additional self-directed learning activities
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 hours |
| Practical activities | 36 hours |
| Workshops | 12 hours |
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