Foundations of Structural Geology and Visualisation

3D understanding of the geological structure of the subsurface is essential for many areas in applied Earth Science – from resource exploration and evaluation, through to geo-engineering both at the Earth’s surface and underground. The course covers fundamental concepts in structural geology, how Earth materials deform and techniques for the 3D visualisation of geological features such as faults and folds in sedimentary layers.

The course is built over three half-day sessions of structured learning that involve short lectures along with numerous practical exercises, summarised through worked solutions. These are supplemented by crafted video materials for further self-study, not only around the sessions themselves but also for purposes of refreshing basic concepts in earth science ahead of course participation.

The course is designed for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of how geological formations are structured, through applying principles of visualization and prediction of their three-dimensional geometry in the subsurface. It will benefit those working with the geological subsurface and with problems involving 3D structure of geological formations: e.g. geologists, geoengineers, geophysicists. By accessing the pre-course introductory materials, the course itself should be accessible to those with limited geological training. The content itself will provide a valuable refresher for experienced geoscientists as well as stimulating different interpretative approaches for building 3D understanding.

To understand the relationships between stress, deformation, and properties of geological materials.
To understand how geological materials deform and form geological structures, and how these structures are expressed in three dimensions at outcrop and in the subsurface.
To learn how to predict three-dimensional subsurface structures from two-dimensional surface data such as geological maps.

What will this mean in practice?

- Reading and interpreting geological maps;

- Developing skills in drawing cross sections from geological maps;

- Introduction to constructing and visualizing structure contours;

- Sharing 3D geological interpretations through illustrations such as block models.

This course will be held virtually over three half-days on the following dates, starting at 13:00 GMT and ending at approximately 17:00 GMT:

Day 1: 24 November

Day 2: 26 November

Day 3: 1 December

Joining details will be sent out the day prior, alongside any course materials that may be needed.

Rob Butler

Rob is Emeritus Professor of Tectonics and former department chair for geology and geophysics at the University of Aberdeen. having previously held posts at the University of Leeds and the Open University.

He brings over forty years’ experience as an educator in earth science to generations of students and industry professionals at home and abroad. As a passionate field geologist, he has researched in the Himalayas, Arabia, Sicily and the Alpine ranges – pulling together stratigraphy and geomorphology with structural geology to deduce mountain building processes. For these researches and for promoting field education and geoconservation, Rob was the inaugural recipient of the Geological Society’s Dewey Medal.

He has served on the Society’s council, chaired their geoconservation committee and is a Chartered Geologist. Rob posts numerous films on geology on his YouTube channel – The Shear Zone, including educational content on structural geology, tectonics and the interpretation of the subsurface through geological maps and seismic reflection imagery.

Fees

Fellow £450

Non-Fellow £900

Student Member £150

Student Non-Member £300

GSA Member £540

Partner £765

Corporate Patron discounts

We offer discounted rates for employee of companies that are part of our Corporate Patron programme, please email training@geolsoc.org.uk for more information.

The Geological Society of America (GSA) members discount

We offer a generous 40% discount off our Non-Fellow rate to members of the Geological Society of America (GSA). A discount code must be quoted on the registration form in order to take advantage of the discount. If you are a member of GSA and do not have the discount code, please email training@geolsoc.org.uk with proof of your membership.

Group discounts

We offer competitive group discounts on all Training Courses:
5 – 9 delegates: 20% off
10 – 14 delegates: 25% off
15 delegates or more: 30% off

For more information on how to access the Group Discount, please email training@geolsoc.org.uk

Concessions

We offer students a generous discount. Please verify your student status by either registering with your student email address, or uploading a photograph of your student identification/acceptance letter.

The Society offers a limited number of concessionary rates for those in financial hardship. Contact training@geolsoc.org.uk (Please note you may be required to provide details/evidence to support your application for this.)

If you require an invoice to register for this course, please email training@geolsoc.org.uk

Registration will close 24 hours before the event takes place.

GSL reserves the right to postpone or cancel a Training Course in the event of low interest. In this instance, a full refund will be offered for registration fees.