This course introduces the basic concepts of brittle and ductile deformation processes and how they control the strength, mechanical behaviour and development of structures in the Earth's continental crust and lithosphere. Students will develop a basic understanding of the forces driving deformation, and the displacements and strains associated with simple crustal deformations. The course then further develops a more advanced understanding of deformation processes and structures produced by displacement and deformation in the Earth's lithosphere at scales ranging from the tectonic plate scale, down to the crystal lattice scale.

By the end of the course, students should:

Recognize structures produced by simple crustal deformation;
	Quantitatively describe the geometry of structures in folded and faulted regions;
	Understanding of stress and strain analysis of the Earth and the deformation response of Earth materials to applied stresses;
	Knowledge of the techniques of structural synthesis, and an ability to apply these techniques in field surveys;
	Interpret the relative timing of formation of structures, the kinematics of deformation, and the progressive deformation histories in a variety of deformed continental regimes;
	Recognize and interpret the geological structure of deformed continental regimes, from mildly deformed upper crustal regimes to complexly deformed, deeper crustal regimes;
	Interpret the geometry of simple structures (folds, faults, fractures, veins and shear zones) in terms of the stress regimes that produced them, and the displacements and strains associated with their development;
	Explain how the types of deformation processes and the styles and geometries of structures produced during continental deformation are influenced by the intensity of deformation, and by the depth and temperature of their formation in the Earth's crust;
	Interpret stress regimes and fluid pressure histories during continental deformation
First year Earth Sciences modules are a prerequisite for this module.