Logo UAB

Geological Record of Global Change

Code: 101043 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2500254 Geology OT 3
2500254 Geology OT 4

Contact

Name:
Josep Oriol Oms Llobet
Email:
joseporiol.oms@uab.cat

Teachers

Gumersinda Galan Garcia
Judit Marigo Cortes
Ramon Mercedes Martin
Angel Hernandez Lujan

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

None


Objectives and Contextualisation

Overview of Earth history and life on Earth through global changes that can be gained from the geological and paleontological record.


Competences

    Geology
  • Display knowledge of the applications and limitations of geophysical methods for learning about the Earth.
  • Display understanding of the fundamental principles of geology and the ability to identify the basic types of minerals, rocks and structures.
  • Display understanding of the size of the space and time dimensions of Earth processes, on different scales.
  • Evaluate moral and ethical problems in research and acknowledge the need to follow professional codes of conduct.
  • Obtain information from texts written in other languages.
  • Recognise theories, paradigms, concepts and principles in the field of geology and use them in different areas of application, whether scientific or technical.
  • Synthesise and analyse information critically.
  • Work independently.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Define and discern simple geochemical concepts for studying problems of global change.
  2. Discern the basic relationships between geology and the problems of environmental change.
  3. Evaluate and critically apply the paradigms of plate tectonics and the different currents of thought regarding global change.
  4. Evaluate the markers of environmental change on the global scale throughout geological time and their implications for the future evolution of the planet.
  5. Integrate the different global-scale terrestrial processes in terms of planetary evolution.
  6. Interpret the social implications, in terms of sustainability and responsibility, of research into global-scale environmental problems.
  7. Obtain information from texts written in other languages.
  8. Synthesise and analyse information critically.
  9. Work independently.

Content

GEOCHEMICAL AND PETROPHIC RECORD OF GLOBAL CHANGESG
 
Topic 1: Useful parameters in the estimation of environmental variables ("proxies"): Fundamentals, applications and limitations.
 
 
 
CHANGES ON A GLOBAL SCALE AND TRIGGERS
 
Topic 2: Astronomical factors: Orbital variations.
 
Topic 3: Astronomical factors: solar variations, impacts.
 
Topic 4: Terrestrial factors: suborbital variations, examples.
 
Topic 5: Terrestrial factors: Volcanism, continental drift and Evolution of the oceans.
 
 
 
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY AND FOSSIL RECORD OF GLOBAL CHANGES
 
 
Topic 6: Precambrian. Chemical conditions. Lithological record, continental distribution. Fossil record. The fauna of Ediacara.
 
Topic 7: Lower Paleozoic. Paleogeographic and paleoclimatic evolution. Evolution of the fossil record. Late Ordovician crisis.
 
Topic 8: Upper Paleozoic. Paleogeographic and paleoclimatic evolution. Evolution of fossil record. Upper Devonian crisis.
 
Topic 9: Global changes and extinctions at the P / T limit. Triassic. Continental distribution. Changes in the fossil record. Upper Triassic crisis.
 
Topic 10: Jurassic. Distribution of seas and continents. Fossil records. Oceanic anoxic events in the Jurassic.
 
Topic 11: Cretaceous. Paleogeographic and climatic evolution and the fossil record. Crete. Anoxic oceanic events in the Cretaceous.
 
Item 12: Extinctions at the K / Pg Limit.
 
Topic 13: The Paleogene-Neogen. The Messinian salinity crisis.
 
Item 14: From the Pliocene to the Holocene.

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Practices 16 0.64 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
seminars 9 0.36 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
theroretical lessons 26 1.04 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
tutoring 17 0.68 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Type: Supervised      
works derived from practices and seminars 15 0.6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Type: Autonomous      
homework 62 2.48 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 

THEORY CLASSES AND SEMINARS
										
											
										
											The student acquires the competences of the subject attending the theoretical classes, that will be in the form of master classes, and the seminars, with more active participation of the student. The material used in the classes and seminars will be available in the Virtual Campus of the subject. This material should serve the student to complement the notes he takes in classes and seminars.
										
											
										
											Since the subject does not have specific textbooks, it is advisable to regularly consult the books, articles and websites of the bibliography and those that teachers can indicate throughout the course, to consolidate and expand the contents of the subject.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
continuous 10% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
releasing of works from done in seminars and practices 20% 1 0.04 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
written test 70% 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

The evaluation of the subject is conditioned and may undergo modifications depending on health incidents, but in principle will consist of:
 
- 2 partial tests, with dates already fixed in the schedules of the subject, and a test of final recovery of each failedpart, also with date fixed in the schedules. 70%.
 
- The repeaters have the option to do a final examination of the contents of the subject or take part in the two partial tests and the recovery, explained in the previous section.
 
- To pass the subject a minimum grade of 4 is required on the part of each teacher.
 
- Evaluation of the participation and presentation of works in the corresponding session of the seminars. 20%
 
- Continuous evaluation of supervised activities. 10%

Bibliography

REFERENCES

Albarede, F. 2009. Geochemistry. An introduction. Cambridge.

Behringer, W. 2010.  A cultural history of climate. Polity Press. 295 pp.

Bowen, R. 1994. Isotopes in the Earth Sciences. Chapman & Hall.

Brannen, P. (2024). Los finales del mundo: Una historia de las grandes extinciones del pasado, y lo que podemos aprender de ellas. Shackleton books. 400 pàgines

Cacho, I. 2010. Els climes de Catalunya. El passat. En J.E. Llebot Ed., Segon informe sobre el canvi climàtic a Catalunya, p. 13-39. Ed. Generalitat de Catlunya i Institut d’Estudis Catalans. http://www15.gencat.cat/cads/AppPHP/images/stories/publicacions/informesespecials/2010/sicccat/informe_per_captols/01_els_climes_de_catalunya._el_passat.pdf

Condie, K.C. 2011. Earth as an evolving Planetary System. Academic Press. 574 pp.

Cowen, R. 2000. History of Life. Blackwell Science. Oxford. 432 p. ISBN0632 04444 6 (56 Cow)

Dodd, R., Stanton. Jr. 1990. Paleoecology, concepts and applications. John Wiley and Sons.

Donovan, S.K. (ed.) 1989. Mass Extinctions. Processes and Evidence. Belhaven Press. London. 265 p. ISBN 1 85293 059 4 (56.017.4 Mas)

Doyle, P., Bennett, M.R., Baxter, A.N. 2001. The key to Earth History. Wiley. 293 p. ISBN 0 471 49215 9

Dunbar, C.O. 1963. Geologia Histórica. Compañía Editorial Continental S.A. 556 p.

Erwin, D.H. 2005. Extinction. How life on Earth Nearly Ended 250 Milion Years Ago. Princeton University Press. 296 pp.

Fagan, B. 2000.The little ice age. How climate made history 1300 – 1850. Basic books. 246pp. Existeix una versió en català.

Fagan, B. 2004. The long summer. How climate changed civilizations. Basic books, 284 p.

Fagan, B. 2008. The great warming. Climate change and the rise and fall of civilizations. Bloomsbury Press.282 pp.

Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M., Ogg, G. 2012. The Geological Time Scale 2012. Elsevier 1176 p. ISBN 0444594485.

Hallam, T. 2005. Catastrophes and lesser calamities: the causes of mass extinction. Oxford University Press. 226 p. ISBN 0 19 280668-8

Halliday, T. (2022). Otros mundos: viaje por los ecosistemas extintos de la Tierra. Debate. 416 páginasKnoll, A.H., Canfield, D.E., Konhauser, K.O. 2012. Fundamentals of Geobiology. John Wiley & Sons. 464 p. ISBN 1118280865.

Knoll, H. A. (2022). Breve historia de la Tierra: cuatro mil millones de años en ocho capítulos. Editorial Pasado y Presente. 240 pàgines

Koeberl, Ch., MacLeod, K.G. ed. 2002. CatastrophicEvents andmass extinctions: impacts and beyond. The Geological Society of America. Special paper, 356. 746 p. ISBN 0813723566

Kummel, B. 1970. History of the Earth. W.H. Freeman and Company. 706 p. ISBN 0 7107 0249 5

Lethiers, F. 1998. Évolution de la biosphère et évenéments géologiques. Gordon and Breach Science Publications GIB. 321 p. ISBN 90 5699 124 8 (551 Let)

Levin, H. 2013. The earth through time.Wiley. 567 pp.

Ogg, J.G., Ogg, G., Gradstein, F.M. 2008. The concise Geologic Time Scale. Cambridge University Press 177 p. ISNB 978 0 521 89849

Oms, O. 2012. Registre geològic dels fenòmens astronòmics. Història Natural dels PaÏsos Catalans, suplement ‘La Terra a l’Univers’ pg. 286-300.Ed. EnciclopèdiaCatalana.

Pomerol, Ch. 1973. Ère Cénozoique, stratigraphie et paleogéographie. Doin éd. 270 p. ISBN 2 7040 0005 0

Pomerol, Ch. 1975. Ère Mésozoïque, stratigraphie et paléogéographie. Doin éd. 383 p. ISBN 2 7040 0057 3

Pomerol, Ch., Babin, Cl. 1977. Précambrien. Ère Paléozoique, stratigraphie et paléogeographie. Doin éd. 430 p. 2 7040 0081 6

Reguant, S. 1986. Geologia Històrica.Ketres. 140 p.

Reguant, S. 2005. Historia de la Tierra y dela Vida. Ariel. 355 p. ISBN 84 344 8071 9 (         )

Riba,O., Reguant, S. 1986. Una taula dels temps geològics. Institut d'Estudis Catalans. 127 p.

Skelton, P. W. (ed). 2003. The Cretaceous World. Cambridge University Press. 360 p. 0 521 53843 2

Stanley, S.M. 1987. Earth and life through time. W.H. Freeman & Company. 690 p. ISBN 0 7167 2035 3

Taylor, P.D. (ed). 2004. Extinctions in the History of Life. Cambridge University Press. 189 p. ISBN 0 521 84224 7 (56 exc)

Uriarte, A. 2003. Historia del clima de la Tierra. Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Basco. 306 p. ISBN 84 457 2097 1

Walliser, O.H. (ed). 1996. Global Events and event stratigraphy in the Phanerozoic. Springer. 333 p. ISBN 3540590560

 

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCES

Barthel, K.W., Swinburne, N.H.M., Morris, S.C. 1994. Solnhofen, a study in Mesozoic palaeontology. Cambridge University Press. 236 p. ISBN 0 521 33344 7

Briggs, D.E.G., Crowther P.R. 2003. Palaeobiology II. Blackwell Publishing. 583 p. ISBN 0 632 05149 3

Briggs, D.E.G., ErwinD.H., Collier, F.J. 1994. The fossils of the Burgess Shale. Smithsonian Institution Press. 238 p. ISBN 1 56098 659 X

Fortey, R. 2006. Trilobites,testigos de la evolución. Laetoli. 309 p. ISBN 84 934862 3 X

Fortey, R. 2004. Earth, an intimate history. Random House inc. ISBN: 0375406263

Hallan, A. 1973. Atlas of Palaeogeography. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. 531 p. ISBN 0 4444 40975 0

Levi-Setti, R. 1993. Trilobites. The University of Chicago Press. 342 p. ISBN 0 226 47451 8

Palmer, D., Rickards, B. 1991. Graptolites, writing in the rocks. The Boydell Press. 165 p. ISBN 0 85115 262 7

Simpson, G.G. 1985. Fósiles e historia de la vida. Biblioteca Scientific American. Labor. 240 p. ISBN 84 7593 006 9 (56 Sim)

Skelton, P.W. (ed.) 1993. Evolution: a biological andpalaeontological approach. Addison-Wesley, Wokingham. 1064 p. ISBN 0201544237 (575 Evo)

Skelton, P.W., Spicer, B. Rees, A. 1997. Evolving life and the Earth. TheOpen University. Milton Keynes. 199 p. ISBN 0 7492 8185 5 (56 Ske)

Whittington, H.B. 1992. Trilobites. The Boydell Press. 145 p. ISBN 0 85115 311 9

Xian-Guang, H., Aldridge, R.J., Bergström, J., Siveter, David j., Siveter, Derek J., Xiang-Hong, F. 2004. The Cambrian fossils of Chengjiang, China. Blackwell Publishing. 233 p. ISBN 9781405167192

 

WEB PAGES

 

IUGS. International Union of Geological Sciences. www.iugs.org

ICS. International Commission on Stratigraphy. www.stratigraphy.org

PALEOMAP PROJECT. Christoffer R. Scotese. www.scotese.com

RON BLAKE MAPS. Global Paleogeography. https://deeptimemaps.com/

GÉRARD STAMPFLI: EARTH DYNAMICS. Tethyan plate tectonics. Global paleotectonic reconstruction. https://www.unil.ch/iste/en/home/menuinst/recherche/geology-and-geodynamics-of-mountain-belts/gerard-stampfli.html

EARTH IMPACT DATABASE. http://www.passc.net/EarthImpactDatabase/

 

 

 

 


Software

-


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 1 Catalan first semester afternoon
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed