Geology of Europe and Poland

Timetable

12 classroom lectures (90 minutes each) + 1 half-a-day open-ar lecture

 

 

Module aim (aims)

The course is aimed to introduce the fundamental knowledge about the geological structure and evolution of Europe, with the additional reference to Poland. The knowledge is presented at the level that is accessible not only for the geology students, but also for the students of other educational disciplines, who are in some extent interested in Earth sciences. All the students of geology, geography, tourism, environmental sciences, biological sciences, archaeology, etc., who want to understand, what happpens and what do we have beneath our feet in Europe and Poland are warmly welcome. The objective of the course is to build the basic understanding of the European geology, incl. Poland by showing the universal geological processes, acting worldwide. The geology of Europe is viewed in the context of global geology, following the concepts of plate tectonics - the most important theory describing the processes shaping the Earth’s face. Specific European and Polish geological units are systematically viewed and separately discussed. Also the synthetic explanation of the overall picture of European geology, today and in the geological past, is comprehensively presented.The main, modern and ancient, orogenic belts building Europe (Alpides, Caledonides, etc.) and the events leading to their formation are described. The most important/spectacular geological phenomena and areas of European continent and its vicinity (e.g. Iceland, Sicily, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, Greece), as well as of Polish territory are presented and explained. Recent and current geodynamic activity in Europe is described (volcanism, seismic activity, glacier advances and retreats). With the special account of international students' expectations, the course presents also a short panorama of geological (geotouristic) attractions representing the most valuable components of Polish and European geological heritage. Part of the course is conducted by a practical presentation of one of the attractive geological localities situated close to Poznań, in the Wielkopolska area. One of such geosites (e.g. Morasko Meteorite Reserve, Kłodawa salt mine, Wapienno open-pit limestone mine) is visited within the course during an open-air lecture. Additionally, the course is purposed to provide brief information about the European mineral and rock resources: their occurrences, types, prospecting and extraction. The last but, also important aim is to build up and improve English language pracitcal skills of the participants, with a special concern of (geo)scientific nomenclature.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic knowledge in Earth sciences (at the secondary school level).

Syllabus

Week 1 Introduction. Outline of development of geological knowledge in Europe and Poland. Weeks 2-3 Geology of Europe and Poland at the background of global geology. Explanation of basic processes, their genesis and distribution (volcanism, earthquakes etc.). Weeks 4-5 The oldest Europe: East-European Craton in Europe and Poland. Week 6 Caledonides in Europe and Poland, and their development. Weeks 7-8 Variscides (Hercynides) in Europe and Poland, and their development. Weeks 9-10 Alpides in Europe and Poland, and their development (Alps, Carpathians, Appennines and others). Week 11 Youngest geological processes in Europe and Poland. Mineral and rock resources of Europe and Poland. Week 12 Geotouristic attractions and geological treasures of Europe & Poland, and their protection. Geological evolution of Poland: a concise summary. Plus a half-a-day open air lecture (counted as 3 weeks) - a visit at the selected geosite in the vicinity of Poznań. Possible localities: Kłodawa salt mine, Morasko Meteorite Reserve, Wapienno limestone open-pit mine or others.

Reading list

Park G. H. (2014) The Making of Europe: A Geological History. Dunedin Press. Plant J.A., Whittaker A., Demetriades A., De Vivo B., and Lexa J., (2005); The geological and tectonic framework of Europe. McCann T. (2008), The Geology of Central Europe: Volume 1: Precambrian and Palaeozoic; Volume. 2: Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Geological Society of London. Foster R. J. (1983); Physical geology. Merrill Publ. Company Słomka T. et al. (2006); The catalogue of geotouristic objects in Poland; AGH Publishing. Allaby M. (2008); A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. Oxford University Press. Website of the Polish Geological Institute: http://www.pgi.gov.pl - English version; Webpages in English related to regional geology, resources and geotourism in Europe Poland Geological Quarterly (2006): vol. 50, no 1. (the issue fully focused on regional geology of Poland) and other review papers referring to the regional geology of Europe and Poland. In Polish: Mizerski W. (2019) Geologia Europy (Geology of Europe). Wyd. Naukowe PWN. Mizerski W. (2020) Geologia Polski (Geology of Poland). Wyd. Naukowe PWN.