Earth Sciences

ES 201 (AUG/JAN) 3:0

Introduction to Earth System

Role of geology in understanding the Earth System processes. Formation of minerals and Rocks–Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic processes. Weathering and erosion, evolution of lithosphere, earthquake and the structure of the Earth, mountain ranges and geologic structures, plate tectonics, tectonic and climate. Early atmosphere, evolution of atmosphere through time, evolution of hydrosphere and general circulation of ocean through time. Long and short term history of cryosphere, fossilization, geologic time. Early evolution of the life, evolution and extinction, evolution of biosphere, evolution of Indian climate through geological time. Global paleoclimate, paleoclimate of India, paleo monsoon record.

Prosenjit Ghosh

Thompson, G.R., and Turk, J., Modern Physical Geology, Saunders College Publishing, 1991.

William, F., Earth’s Climate: Past and Future, 2001.

Grotzinger, J., and Freeman, S., Understanding Earth, 2006.

ES 202 (JAN) 3:0

Biogeochemistry

Geochemistry of the Earth, Big Bang. Nucleosysthesis, origin of Solar system, electronic structure of atoms, periodic tables, chemical bonds, crystals, ionic substitution, isotope geo- chronometer, chemical differentiation, chemical reactions and stability of minerals, acids and bases, salts and their ions. Thermodynamics, mineral stability, clay minerals, carbonate minerals, oxidation–reduction reaction, isotope fractionation, mixing and dilution, rate of chemical processes, chemical weathering, chemical composition of surface water, geochemical cycle (C-H-O-N-S), stable isotope geochemistry, Biogeochemical cycles.

Prosenjit Ghosh

Schlesinger,W.H., Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change, Academic press, 1997.

Faure, G., Principle and application of inorganic geochemistry, Prentice Hall, 1991.

Criss, R.E., Principle of stable isotope distribution, Oxford University Press, 1999.

ES 203 (AUG) 3:0

Geodynamics

Introduction to the dynamic earth, evolution and internal structure of the earth. Earth’s gravity and magnetic fields, heat flow and heat transfer. Introduction to seismology, stress and strain in solids, elastic deformation, rock rheology and faulting, small and large-scale crustal deformations. Continental drift and plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain-building processes.

Kusala Rajendran

Turcotte, D., and Schubert, G., Geodynamics, Cambridge University press, Second Edn, ISBN-13: 9780521666244.

Fowler, C.M.R., The solid earth: An introduction to Global Geophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Press, F., Siever, R., Grotzinger, J., and Jordan, T., Understanding Earth, W H Freeman, Fourth Edn, July 17, 2003.

ES 204 (JAN) 3:0

Plate Tectonics

Plate tectonics as a grand unifying theory, relative and absolute plate motions, plate driving forces, paleomagnetism, magnetic reversals, polar wander path and paleopole reconstructions. Earthquake source mechanisms and distribution of earthquakes, collision/subduction and large strike-slip fault zones with global examples (Himalaya, Sumatra, San Andreas Fault). Mantle convection, landform evolution, influence on climate and other implications of plate tectonics.

Kusala Rajendran

Cox and Hart, Plate tectonics: How it works, Wiley-Blackwell Scientific publications, Oxford, 1991.

Keary, P., and Vine, F., Global Tectonics, Blackwell Science, 1996.

Fowler, C.M.R., The solid earth: An introduction to Global Geophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

ES 207 (AUG) 3:0

Modern concepts in Geology

Classification of rocks. Geology of southern India: modern concepts. The earth structures and its significance. Shear/suture zones-identification, interpretation and implications. Fluid influence in shear zones, geochemical and geochronological methods, modern approaches and inferences, modern concepts in using geochemical data. Origin-exhumation-weathering of rocks: element mobility and evolution, linking rocks/mineral chemistry to tectonics with Indian examples.

Sajeev Krishnan

Vernon, R.H., and Clarke, G., Principles of Metamorphic Petrology, Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Condie, K.C., Earth as an Evolving Planetary System, Academic Press, First Edn, 2004.

Van Der Pluijm, B.A., and Marshak, S., Earth Structure: An Introduction to Structural Geology and Tectonics, W W Norton and Co. Inc. (Np), Second Edn, 2003.

Philpotts, A.R., Petrography of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, Waveland Pr. Inc. 2003

ES 208 (JAN) 3:0

Applied Petrology and Geochemistry

Identification of Minerals and rocks, applications of petrology in igneous and metamorphic geology, physical and chemical properties of mineral/rocks, chemistry of minerals, application/interpretation of geochemical datasets, thermodynamic applications in metamorphic petrology and its significance. Fieldwork, laboratory studies of rocks, seistonic interpretations.

Sajeev Krishnan

Passchier, C.W., Myers, J.S., and Kroner, A., Field geology of high-grade gneiss terrains, Springer-Verlag, 1990.

Nesse, W.D., Introduction to Optical Mineralogy, Third Edn, Oxford University Press, USA, 2003.

Vernon, R.H., A Practical Guide to Rock Microstructure, Cambridge University Press, 2004.

Rollinson, H.R., Using Geochemical Data: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation, Longman Publishing Group, 1993.