The contents of this subject are designed to develop the basic stratigraphic methodology to describe and organize in space and time the rock units that compond the earth’s crust. It also considers the basic tools to establish the time succession and interpretation of the geological processes occurred throughout the history of the Earth.

The subject aims to achieve the following specific competencies:

- M04GM4.2.- Development of the basic stratigraphic methodology in order to arrange the rock units in time and space.

- M04GM4.1.- Knowledge of the main sedimentary processes and environments and identification of their products.

- M04GM4.4.- Understanding of the fossil record and its biostratigraphic and palaecological implications.

- M04GM4.6.- Knowledge of the sedimentary rocks, their characteristics and their geodynamic context.



And it also aims to achieve the following cross-disciplinary competencies :

- G001.- Analysis and synthesis skills.

- G004.- Ability to put knowledge to practical use.

- G005.- Autonomous and creative learning and work.

- G010.- Motivation for quality and well done work.

Theoretical content

Lesson 1. Concepts and basic principles in Stratigraphy: Definition and objectives. Basic principles in Stratigraphy. Stratigraphic disciplines. Stratigraphic procedure.

Lesson 2. Data collection methodology in Stratigraphy: Surficial, subsurface, aerial and laboratory/office methods.

Lesson 3. Age of rocks: relative dating and the standard chronostratigraphic chart. Absolute dating.

Lesson 4. Stratigraphic continuity and unconformities: concepts. Stratigraphic unconformity types.

Lesson 5. Stratigraphic classification: concepts and procedure. Stratigraphic unit types.

Lesson 6. Lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic, magnetostratigraphic and allostratigraphic units.

Lesson 7. Stratigraphic correlation : Concepts and correlation types. Correlation methods.

Lesson 8. Chemostratigraphy: Bases for its use. Non- isotopic (carbonate) and isotopic (oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope) chemostratigraphy.

Lesson 9. Marine transgressions and regressions: Concepts and types.

Lesson 10. Sequence stratigraphy: Cyclicity in the filling of sedimentary basins. Concept of sequence. Sequence genesis and orders. Eustatic cycles. Depositional sequence models.

Lesson 11. Basin analysis: Basin analysis concepts. Controls in the filling of sedimentary basins. Graphical methods in basin analysis. Subsidence analysis.

Lesson 12. Sedimentary basin classification : Types of sedimentary basins in relation to Plate Tectonics. Formation and main features.



Practical content

- Relative and radiometric dating.

- Realisation and interpretation of stratigraphic logs.

- Petrophysical (wireline) log interpretation.

- Interpretation of seismic profiles.

- Correlations. Realization and interpretation of stratigraphic and chronostratigraphic cross-sections.



Field training

- Realisation of stratigraphic logs. Establishment and interpretation of lithostratigrapic units. Identification and interpretation of stratigraphic unconformities. Relative dating of units.

- Multidisciplinary stratigraphy. Litho-, bio-, chrono- and magnetostratigraphic units, and depositional sequences. Identification and interpretation of stratigraphic cycles (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th orders). Cyclostratigraphy. Stratotypes. Event stratigraphy.

The methodology of the subject is based on theory lectures, where basic theorethical contents are explained. This lectures are complemented by practical sessions and field training, where theoretical contents are applied on real case studies.

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY



Continuous assessment:

- Final exam: 70%

- Practical work (exercises, case studies and problem set): 12,5%

- Practical field-work (field reports and/or field exercises): 12,5%

- Positive attitude and participation (questions, answers, etc.): 5%

It is a condition to obtain at least 5 points out of 10 in the final exam in order to pass the subject.



Final assessment:

- Final exam: 70%

- Practical work (exercises, case studies and problem set): 15%

- Practical field-work (field reports and/or field exercises): 15%



Waives

The student has the right to decline the continuous assessment: the student has to present a written form to the lecturer during the first 9 weeks after beggining of the term, following the application of current regulations of the UPV/EHU (BOPV, 13th march 2017, nº 50, article 8.3).

Basic bibliography

Boggs, S. (2006). Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education, 4. edición. 662 pp.

(Spanish group) Dabrio, C.J. & Hernando, S. (2003). Estratigrafía. Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 382 pp.

Doyle, P., Bennett, M.R. y Baxter, A.N. (2001). The Key to Earth History: An Introduction to Stratigraphy. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 224 pp.

Nichols, G. (1999). Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Blackwell, Oxford, 355 pp.

Vera, J.A. (1994). Estratigrafía: Principios y métodos. Ed. Rueda, Madrid. 806 pp.

In-depth bibliography

Brookfield M.E. (2004). Principles of Stratigraphy. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 340 pp.
Doyle, P. y Bennett, M.R. (eds.)(1998). Unlocking the Stratigraphical Record: Advances in Modern Stratigraphy. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 532 pp.
Fritz, J.F. y Moore, J.N. (1988). Basics of Physical Stratigraphy and Sedimentology. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 371 pp.
Lemon, R.R. (1990). Principles of Stratigraphy. Merring Publishing Company, Columbus, 559 pp.
Miall, A. D. (2000). Principles of Sedimentary Basin Analysis, 3rd ed.Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 616 pp.
Prothero, D.R. y Schwab, F. (2004). Sedimentary Geology. An Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks and Stratigraphy. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 575 pp.
Salvador, A. (1994). International Stratigraphic Guide: A guide to stratigraphic classification, terminology, and procedure, 2. ed. The International Union of Geological Sciences and The Geological Society of America, 214 pp.
Schoch, R.M. (1989). Stratigraphy. Principles and Methods. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 375 pp.

Journals

Sedimentology
Sedimentary Geology
Journal of Sedimentary Research
Stratigraphy
Lethaia